Kamy Aquilina documents Birżebbuġa in her upcoming exhibition Xlokk Kaħlani
Kamy has been working on this body of work for the past two years. If you are familiar with Kamy’s Instagram presence, you can definitely recognize her passion for photography, capturing moments, memories, and space. In this exhibition, Kamy is documenting life in her hometown of Birzebbuga, Malta. Curated by Camren Aquilina, ‘Xlokk Kaħlani’ unfolds through an intensive documentative research project highlighting a life in Birżebbuġa experienced by the artist, Kamy Aquilina. The “camera”, being used as the main artistic tool, enables the artist to develop experimental works blending photography, light and sound installation, and alternative drawing approaches. These eventually lead to the experienced narrative being exhibited. Through this same personal approach, the artist is also interested in creating a dialogue with the viewers’ own experiences where tangible realities are continuously and rapidly being defined by the beauty and contrasting uglification of many other villages around the island. We reached out to Kamy to tell us more about this body of work and future plans.
Xlokk Kahlani documents Birżebbuġa , why did you choose to focus on this particular theme?
I chose this particular theme, with the aim for its audience to raise questions regards the current state of environmental degradation in Birzebbuga. Since currently my hometown is Birzebugga, I can hear the sound of the Freeport and airplanes (both landing and taking off) and the ‘kwarta mil’. This makes me wish I could change the current atmosphere into a more peaceful one, where one can appreciate the sounds of nature and stillness of silence and enjoy dark skies and the stars at night. Unfortunately, even Birzebbuga does enjoy richness in nature, it is a pity that the seaside village is too hectic.
How does this exhibition reflect your artistic style?
Photography plays an important role in my artistic style. I am always documenting and researching through visuals. Xlokk Kahlani helped me to develop furthermore my photographic skills and how to narrate a story. In this project, I tried to create artworks with different approach by using different techniques and media. These past few years, I was also experimenting with multi-sensorial art and how to engage more with the audience. I am always eager to learn new techniques and challenge myself to work outside of my comfort zone.
In your exhibition you are presenting your works through different media’s particularly focusing on photography. Why did you select this medium for this project?
The artworks are based on experimental works. The “camera”, being used as the main artistic tool, enables me to develop experimental works blending photography, light and sound installation, and alternative drawing approaches. These eventually lead to the experienced narrative being exhibited.
The exhibition is said to connect with the viewer to translate the realities that are continuously and rapidly being defined by the beauty and contrasting uglification of many other villages around the island. How has this effected you personally and how will it be interpreted through your work?
I have different mixed feelings about my hometown nowadays which has affected me in different ways. Pollution is one of the main inspiration for creating these artworks. The artwork developed is aimed at raising awareness about the town of Birżebbuġa, which I feel is forgotten by many and somehow not mentioned with pride by others. Birżebbuġa is not just about the Freeport and its oil spills or light pollution. It is also about its history, heritage and love towards the seaside town itself. The desired result would be to engage in a dialogue with the public so as the perception of Birżebbuġa can be given light and perhaps improved in the long run. The aim is to make use of the two senses, sight (vision) and hearing (audition), with the intension and hope that people appreciate the smallest and most taken for granted details surrounding us.
What should the viewer expect to see? How do the works that will be shown build on previous projects?
Xlokk Kahlani aims to give the audience a multisensory experience where visuals and sound tap on memories and own experiences which are not necessarily directly linked to Birżebbuġa but which can resonate with similarities in other towns elsewhere.
These artworks are also a developing process on my previous projects. My art works are based on different personal journeys using the visual narrative, multi-sensory art, space and colour. Being part of a few collaborative projects and exhibitions have helped me build confidence in different ways I can use the camera, drawing, painting, photography in general and ultimately play around with mixed media. It also allowed me to have a greater reach by participating in multiple events simultaneously through shared efforts.
What is next for Kamy Aquilina?
In November 2021, I will be part of SPRING programme by the Gabriel Caruana Foundation. Currently, I am also reading a Masters in Art Education. In the future, I see myself looking for new collaboration with galleries, museums, other artists and taking part in local and international exhibitions that value the contemporary art. I would also like to continue exploring different techniques and media, to develop further my knowledge and personal growth in Fine Arts.
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