In Solitude, We Find the Self – Sea, Sunset, Moon Exhibition
Solitude comes in all shapes and sizes. For many, the meaning of loneliness or being alone is an erased division. Where, although, they are not one and the same, the process of feeling safe in your own company, is to at some point, experience loneliness. Sea, Sunset, Moon is a collective exhibition at Spazju Kreattiv. Curated by Gabriel Zammit, seven interdisciplinary artists come together and provide their personal take on the various journeys of solitude through distinct and diverse media. These heartfelt works are united through definitions of desolation and elements of Mediterranean symbols.
With the forceful consequences of the pandemic, from social distancing, and having to work remotely to the uncountable lockdowns, humanity as a collective, had all the time in the world to reflect. The works at Spazju Kreattiv, present a context intertwined with the symbolism of nature, specifically the sea, sunset, and moon.
Metaphorically, the moon is found alone in the night sky. The moon mirrors the sun but they never meet. The moon appears alone and it demands to light up the night. The vast, infinite sea, with all the void it encapsulates, offers a sense of freedom. The sea claims its independence. And finally, the sunset. It reminds us that the loneliness of the night is near yet in that silence, there is peace. The next day, the sun will rise again. The context of the exhibit plays on this metaphor. It suggests that human beings must experience loneliness and only through and not in avoidance, will one seek self-knowledge, growth, and healing.
A powerful message that breathes vacancy is three intimate works by Anna Calleja. In Past, Present, and Future, tonal values of blue occupy mundane spaces suggesting a duality of comfort and melancholia. In Past, a blue armchair is positioned closely to picture frames enhancing a nostalgic element. For Present, a delicate self-portrait reflecting from a phone may indicate the domineering aspect of technology, and in Future, lies an open book on a bed that hints at solace during downtime. Visual artist, Norbert Francis Attard explores encounters with solitude through an expression in his installation, Surrender. An LED strip light spells these exact words on a panel board where he evokes reaching a state of vulnerability. Such a riveting work is in the likeness of Jenny Holzer’s radical use of text art.
Sea, Sunset, and Moon are also perceived as three sculptural figures in the ceramicist Paul Scerri’s decorative works. Through them, he closely examines the paradoxical nature of a Mediterranean solitude. The sculpture of Sunset confers itself as a multi-coloured figure tightly holding a pillow. Its visual hints at complete isolation and despair. Another captivating work that cannot be missed in the space is Wrapped Swing Set. Designed and fabricated by Keit Bonnici, the work is a curatorial prop of a swing wrapped in cellophane. It is a reminder to the public that an object so naturally used for interaction, had at a time instilled fear. In this fear, distance from each other was encouraged and permitted because of the menacing spread of pathogens.
Photo Credits @VE L LA
With the many approaches established to the theme of solitude in Sea, Sunset, Moon, what is common ground in the harmony of voices whispered by the works is the journey. It is the challenges that isolation brings, which often, is synonymous with a painful state yet concurrently, it rewards.
Artists: Norbert Attard, Sarah Bonaci, Anna Calleja, Glen Calleja, Chelsea Muscat, Paul Scerri, Katie Sims and Keit Bonnici
Dates: Friday, 18th March – Sunday, 8th May
This exhibition is commissioned by Spazju Kreattiv
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