The shock value of art pieces
under the title of the Room of Meditation and is dominated by the colour red.
Such themes are also explored through a performative lens in Lihong Bai’s live performance, entitled The Joy of Fish and Water. Following the kinetic pull of the drapery, the viewers are then invited to proceed into Act II. Sculptures by Antoine Farrugia, paintings by Alex Dalli and photographs by Luke Azzopardi are further exhibited here, as well as additional paintings by Noel Attard (MT). Without imposing a narrative upon the viewers, this is the Room of Simplicity.
Lastly, the viewers are then led into Act III, which is the third and final room. This is the Room of Mortality. The notions of life and death lay at the basis of the artworks in this room, and their complexity tugs at the heartstrings of the viewer through a multicultural lens. Polo Farrera (MX) and Jeremy Chih-Hao Chuang (TW) present two video works, which both deal with the complex nature around this theme within their respective cultures. The absence and presence of colour complement their works, thus stimulating a dialogue leading to audience participation.
This selection of artists and artworks have been chosen based on their relation to the overarching theme. Their works are not a direct response to Rothko and Gottlieb’s words, but rather, they are personal reflections of contemporary understandings.
This collective grouping of artists, which is inherently transnational, are united by their collective search for personal meaning in their respective art forms and media. Whether it is through the mediums of paintings, sculpture, photography or videography, the artists are united by the way in which they channel their complex thoughts into simple expressions.
Ultimately, their meaning is received by you, the viewer, and therefore, I offer you the space to reflect and search upon your own complex thoughts, and channel them through the simple expressions offered by these artists.
The exhibition is currently on at The Splendid, Strait Street, Valletta, until April 21. Entrance is free of charge. The exhibition will be open every day from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 1pm. More information can be found on The Strada Stretta Programme and Valletta Cultural Agency pages on Facebook.