The Malta Independent on Sunday
A New Age for art and artists at MICAS
Most have heard about MICAS by now, the Malta International Contemporary Art Space which is taking shape in Floriana. Since my return to Malta, some 30 years ago, from time to time artists spoke of the need of a contemporary art museum but although there were noises from time to time, nothing ever happened. So, when I went to meet Francis Sultana, the newly appointed Ambassador of Culture for Malta, some months ago, we met at the Ospizio in Floriana, a discovery for me. There I found a conglomeration of buildings, some Nissen huts, some stone buildings, some in use, others not and rough terrain. One building had been restored to house the offices.
*** The Ospizio and Ritirata sites are located within the magnificent Floriana Lines overlooking Marsamxett Harbour and have a layered and interesting narrative. The Knights built a gunpowder factory here after, in 1634, the main gunpowder magazine, located in Strada San Jacopo in Valletta, exploded, causing the tragic death of 22 people. The new Polverista was designed by the military engineer Blondel des Croisettes in 1665. By the 1720s this industry was in the hands of Maltese entrepreneurs in other locations and Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena had added new buildings and turned it into a hospice which housed around 380 residents a year. The Ospizio became a multipurpose institution that had to cater for the elderly, for orphans, illegitimate children, abandoned infants, the mentally ill, female prisoners and yes, reformed prostitutes.
*** Part of this complex is the Ritirata where the MICAS indoor gallaries will be housed. This too has an interesting history.
One key feature to look out for I was told by architect friends is the magnificent Arco Barbara, a skew arch named after its creator, architect and military engineer, Giovanni Barbara. He was the principal architect of the Order from 1681 right up to his death in 1728. This is considered to be Barbara’s chef d’oeuvre. There is a much smaller one in Qormi apparently.
*** The gallaries are set to open their doors in 2021. This cultural infrastructure project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and through local state funding. The project itself is led by the Restoration Directorate which is taking advantage of its vast experience in past restorations to bring this area to life. The Art Director for the project is the well-known artist Ruth Bianco and Perit Claude Borg is one of the lead architects responsible for the new design.
Outdoor gallaries, a sculpture gar- den and more are projected. In fact that evening Ugo Rondinone whose stone sculpture The Radiant, was unveiled, came from New York to be present for the occasion.
*** Mr Sultana is a major player in the world of design, moving and shaking with the best both in Europe and the USA. He obviously has the alchemy to convert his natural talent to gold.
That he is a perfectionist is evident from his Palazzo in St Ursula street, Valletta and his home in his native Nadur, which, since his mother died, he has now sold.
Francis recently realised his dream. He purchased a ‘set’ of rooms in Piccadilly in the piano nobile of Melbourne House which was built for the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough then sold to the Duke of York. This is Albany, one of London’s most prestigious addresses where Byron, Disraeli and Gladstone once lived. The last owner of the ‘set’ of rooms he will be living in belonged to Flair Cowles, a painter, a writer and a renowned hostess whose best man at her fourth marriage to Tom Montague Meyer was Cary Grant. It is whispered that the Queen Mother regularly dropped in for a cup of tea and the latest gossip chez Flair.
*** Mr Sultana is collaborating with artists and architects and with other cultural institutions globally. “I want our future generations to have access to the best the creative world has to offer, right on their doorstep, so they know that their dreams can truly become realistic ambitions,” he told me.
*** It had poured all day the Friday of the launch. We had been warned to come with comfortable shoes, something I know little about. We were handed sturdy umbrellas at the gate of the Sa Maison gardens which is just as well since it was a long walk from the gate to the MICAS tunnels and buildings. But a green carpet had been laid all the way, and lit up on the sides. Those gardens looked magnificent.
The invitation, handpainted and embossed promised nothing but good things.
*** After all Mr Sultana’s work for Malta began even before the ambassadorship. Last year he was pivotal in securing Malta’s triumphant return to the Venice Biennale, where he hosted a reception for the country’s pavilion. “So we hung a flag of Malta on the Grand Canal. I had the invitations embossed in gold and printed in London. This was an event to promote Malta and the branding simply had to be excellent. I was not going to leave anything to chance. I wanted to make sure that Malta had great visibility during the Biennale.” Perfection is his ethos.
The same high standards are being used for MICAS, starting from the launch.
*** As I stepped inside after the long walk, as it was still drizzling, I was almost stunned by the enormous and well-proportioned tunnels which are now partly restored. You look around and try to imagine how many people toiled and maybe even died to build these enormous structures.
The Prime Minister was present as was Minister Owen Bonnici. Also many personalities from all walks of life. Mrs Phyllis Muscat – and I take my hat off to her and her team naturally - spoke well, about the project with which she is so intimately connected and where she spends so much of her time. I take off my hat to her because the function from beginning to end and inspite of the rain, ran seamlessly.
*** The Hon. Owen Bonnici, always with a smile, in his (thankfully for three others followed) short but significant speech, said that this is a memorable time for the Maltese Art World, artists and aficionados alike.” With works nearing completing in MUZA, Malta’s new Museum of Art, I am also proud that Malta is about to take a great step forward and become a proactive player in the contemporary art world.... MICAS will play a pivotal role in Malta’s Cultural ecology and economy as an active partaker on the global map in connecting artistic communities and wider audiences; in harnessing European values and promoting cultural diplomacy.”
*** The Prime Minister who too, retains his enthusiasm in spite of his many responsibilities, gave an excellent speech. Here are just a couple of quotes: “Art and artists need space. In line with our programme, this project intends to provide this space. MICAS as a space dedicated to contemporary art will help to re- habilitate the substantial footprint of the Ospizio Complex and Ritirata sites, long left derelict and out of bounds to the general public.... we will harness this creative potential to increase the cultural potential of our nation as promised. We firmly believe that Art it For All and that it can be a catalyst for social inclusion. This project will also be guided by this conviction and our principles.... As resilient frontier people, we embrace the creative spirit of adventure, our ability to reinvent our future and our history is testament to that.”
*** Dinner at Verdala Palace, hosted by Francis Sultana followed for some of us. There is no space for more but as you can imagine, the menus were elegant, the food delicious and there wasn’t a pea out of place.
The guests were mainly international from the world of art and design. They included London’s Serpentine Galleries CEO Yana Peel and designers Emilia Wickhead and Roland Mouret. I was sitting next to Alison on one side. She, too has two daughters, lives in New York and is one of the editors of Architectural Digest.
A well-spent few hours both at the reception and dinner. I have nothing but praise for all concerned and hope to be still alive when MICAS is launched in 2021. mbenoit@independent.com.mt