Like many other arts organisations around the islands, the Malta Society of Arts’ (MSA) physical doors are closed at the moment. However, all throughout the pandemic, the MSA remained very much open to business through its online presence and continuous support to its members and loyal public.
One of the initiatives taken by the MSA to remain in touch with the public and keep art alive as much as possible has been ‘Reminiscing Perceptions’. This series of posts on the Society’s Facebook page aims at giving a new lease of life to a large number of artworks that have been exhibited at MSA’s past two Members Exhibitions: ‘Perception’ in 2018 and ‘Perception: postscripts’ in 2019.
These last two editions were particularly successful. The curatorial approach adopted for each was more focussed than in previous editions due to the exhibition’s integration into MSA’s biggest project to date: AMuSE (Artistic Multi Sensorial Experiences). AMuSE was a three-year collaborative Creative Europe project involving four European partners led by the MSA itself. This was the first time that a Maltese organisation served as the lead partner in a Creative Europe project.
‘Perception’ and ‘Perception: postscripts’ saw over 80 artworks exhibited over two years, and the Facebook series is only showcasing a selection. All the participating Members discussed, researched, and experimented with the theme of multi-sensoriality over the months preceding the exhibitions, while attending regular workshops with curator Roderick Camilleri. The result was an incredibly exciting, diverse, and eclectic mix of artworks which included tactile and olfactory paintings, mechanical, automated and interactive sculptures, sound images, mobiles, and kinetic installations.
The ongoing online series has received very positive feedback from both the artistic community and the general public as it celebrates art and creativity in these difficult times. “In times like these it is essential to keep sharing art and to create a sense of community among the artists and those who follow the MSA. If our public cannot yet visit us physically, at least they can still be part of what we do through our online platforms,” comments MSA President Arch. Adrian Mamo.
The Malta Society of Arts is planning its next Members Exhibition for 2021, but of course, it has to add the now infamous ‘Covid-permitting’ clause. If all goes according to plan, the MSA Members Exhibition 2021 will be back with more innovative, well-researched, and experimental artwork from the MSA’s collaborating artistic community.
To check out all the artworks in the series ‘Reminiscing Perceptions’ please visit the Facebook Page of the Malta Society of Arts on www.facebook.com/maltasocietyofarts. Artists who are interested in becoming Members of the MSA can visit www.artsmalta.org or send an email on info@artsmalta.org
