Carmen Consoli is an Italian singer-songwriter from Catania whom I have learnt to love across the years since 1999 when I first listened to her music during a Festivalbar show. This is that very particular moment when I literally fell in love with this completely amazing artist who has, since then, blossomed into one of the most respected names in the Italian and international music panorama. Her music is mostly personal but she frequently looks into socio-political themes through her provocative, ironic or sarcastic approach. Through the years Consoli was able to develop her art by researching and working within various musical languages.
I had the chance to attend two of her live concerts in Taormina (2010) and Acireale (2015).
This portrait is an effort to interpret the beauty of this heart-warming artist who has blessed me with her art all across the best years of my life.
Inspired by Earth Garden’s ‘Water’ theme the life-giving element was reinterpreted into a philosophy of life. The struggle for the discovery of the true self, the change/experience/growth and the transition into a dance are the three phases represented by the female figure.
The Splendid lounge bar and guest house in Valletta was transformed into an art exhibition space in 2011 as part of the ‘Strada Stretta’ revival exhibition. The event was a collaborative effort between 15 artists, designers, and photographers aimed at creating a cultural incubator in Valletta which is a UNESCO World Heritage city. The ‘Strada Stretta’ exhibition was part of a European project funded by the Med Territorial Cooperation program and organized by Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit (FTZ), a regional development agency at the University of Malta.
The exhibition was held in the Splendid, a venue with an evocative atmosphere that perfectly suited the showcase of the remnants of its former glory. The space was adorned with vintage furniture, tattered upholstery, nostalgic trinkets, decaying toys, a deteriorating staircase, and neglected clothing, all waiting for a revival. As visitors walked through, they were transported to a time long gone, and the ghosts of the past seemed to whisper mysterious stories.
“The Gut,” a multimedia performance showcased at the Strada Stretta bar, featured an interactive video installation by Danjeli Schembri, Julian Mallia, and Pawlu Mizzi. Visitors were invited to sit at an old piano, supplied by Pawlu Mizzi, and “play the notes of the Splendid” by a handwritten invitation hanging from a bulb in the middle of the room. Each unique combination of piano keys played revealed a digital, animated projection of a character from times gone by in a surreal composition. The piano acted like a dream machine, bringing to life the characters that gave Strada Stretta its identity. The exhibit allowed visitors to experience the lifestyle of the Gut, and its striking visuals, typography, and presentation made it an instant hit among visitors. The project evolved over time, taking on a surreal tinge that characterized the chaotic, cheerful, and lively feel of Strada Stretta. The musical collage by Danjeli, the disproportionate size of illustrated characters by Mallia, and the typographic arrangements by Mizzi along the walls, all contributed to this effect.
The Splendid project received considerable attention from visitors, with hundreds of people exploring the nostalgic rooms during the opening night alone. The event was widely deemed as successful, and the Splendid was established as one of the most coveted cultural venues in Valletta. Despite this achievement, the revival of Strada Stretta to its previous splendor never came to fruition, as a contemporary catering and entertainment enterprise took over the street, leaving much to be desired.
Media References
- Lisa Gwen – Coming Strait from the gut – The Times of Malta. April 28, 2011
- Rosianne Cutajar – Strada Stretta tiehu l-hajja mill-gdid… – ONE TV. April 17, 2011
- Pamela Hansen – Strada Stretta
A portrait of Maria Caligari
