Transformer is a multifaceted, two-year project presented by Blitz, in collaboration with Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, and culminating in a multi-site exhibition in September 2018. The project will build a relationship between a Maltese artistic context and an international cultural network through a series of border-crossing curatorial and artistic exchanges. The project includes curatorial research, artist residencies, a website, public talks, workshops and a multi-site exhibition in spaces across Malta during the 2018 European Capital of Culture year.
The activities will be a collaboration between project partners from Malta, the United Kingdom, Spain, Morocco, and Greece, with the aim of building a network which will help develop Artist Run Organisations (AROs) and the contemporary art context in Malta.
Transformer focuses on the dynamic generated by AROs and their engagement with contingencies of the present, engendering artistic discourse via artists-based research activities in-situ. Transformer institutes a ground-up, grassroots, sustainable and long-lasting interchange; nurturing, developing and extending the activity of the Maltese contemporary art scene, widening its sphere of influence, and embedding it within European and international communities of practice.
Transformer is supported by the Multi-Annual Support Grant, Arts Council Malta and is part of the European Capital of Culture Programme.
TRANSFORMER INFORMAL
A series of talks and events taking place throughout the research, development, and presentation of the Transformer project. Transformer Informal brings together visiting and local participants, to discuss and expand on the project’s themes and aspirations.
Created and organised by: Blitz, Valletta and Central Saint Martins (CSM), University of the Arts, London
Project Management: Alexandra Pace, Nicole Bearman (Blitz)
Creative Direction: Emma Talbot, Mick Finch (CSM)
Online platform Editor: Tom Clark
Online platform Editorial Assistant: Georgina Rowlands
Participating artists and AROs: Kosmas Nikolaou (3 137, Athens, Greece); Ro Caminal (CeRRCa, Barcelona, Spain); Laila Hida (Le 18, Marrakech, Morocco); Mohamed Fariji (L’Atelier de l’Observatoire, Casablanca, Morocco); Fenêtre Project – Dustin Cauchi, Francesca Mangion (Blitz, Valletta, Malta)
Multi-site exhibition: 7 September – 14 October 2018