MaltaToday, 19 March 2008 |

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CULTURE| Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Grazzi, Malta
– a tribute to Olaug Vethal

St James Cavalier in Valletta is currently hosting “Grazzi Malta”: an art exhibition of works by Olaug Vethal (1946-2007), dating from the period when she resided in Malta (1988-2007) will feature 40 works of art and other artefacts that reveal the relationship of this artist with the Maltese people whom she loved to paint.
This is the first exhibition and publication following the artist’s death on 24 February 2007.
This exhibition will reveal the stylistic changes in her art from the very first presence of the artist on the island till the very last stages of her life, during her illness.
A native of Norway, Olaug Vethal became one of Malta’s most prolific artists, known primarily for her “…movement and expressive brushstrokes… each piece is a mosaic of an endless tapestry concerned with freedom of invention.” (Dr Joseph Paul Cassar). Olaug Vethal is considered one of the major proponents of figurative expressionism that also had a touch of impressionism in so far as “capturing a moment in time” and “en plein air” painting.
Through this, she embraced the realistic depiction of everyday people and scenes in Malta, particularly village topics.
From 1964 to 1987 Vethal studied various subjects including gymnastics, music, philosophy, German, Latin, philology, history of art, printing, and fine art, at both the University of Oslo, Norway, as well as the University of Hamburg, Germany.
Vethal has also taught art at A level standard privately, as well as at the De La Salle Sixth Form between 1996 and 2007.
Olaug Vethal chose to represent the world around her in a manner of exalting the virtues of a simple lifestyle. Her favourite topics included portraits of family and friends, to bathers by the sea, tribal figures, jazz musicians, temples, boats, dancers and nude figures, primarily those of robust figure. She was ‘a Meta physical artist’ as she herself stated and her art progressed in many different ways, leading to the works of her last years where she fell ill, hence the possibility of dwelling on the philosophy of our human existence.
Grazzi Malta is on display at the upper galleries at St James Cavalier Centre of Creativity in Valletta between the 26 February and 30 March 2008.


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What's on

NIGHTLIFE

March 22
Crack!
Alternative Malta presents an Easter Eve party at Lo Squero, Floriana featuring DJs Bob, G and Mike Bugeja. Doors open at 22:00. Entrance is €5.

March 28
New Dead Nation
The 4th Dimension presents a night of Gothic, Metal, EBM and electro industrial courtesy of DJs Asmodeus, Lean, Swan and Angel at Poxx Bar, Paceville. Entrance is €5 - which includes a free ticket and a gift raffle. Doors open at 21:00. For info and tickets contact DJ Swan at 79710681. www.the4th.tk

DANCE AND THEATRE

Last performance tonight
Verve ‘08
The Dance Workshop will be presenting its 9th annual dance production at St. Agatha’s Auditorium in Rabat. Tickets at €12 and €9 are available from the Dance Workshop at the National Pool Complex, Gzira and The Dance Studio, Sliema Road, Kappara. Ticket hotline: 99429233, 21242465.

March 28 - 30
Minn Wara z-Zipp
Unifaun Theatre present their very first Maltese production, with a script by Trevor Zahra. The play is directed by Chris Gatt and the cast includes Jean Pierre Busuttil, Renato Dimech and ‘Snits’ Spiteri. Tickets may be purchased from the Booking Office in Valletta, tel. no. 21 246389, fax no. 21 237340, email: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt and website: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.

April 5, 6
Peter and the Wolf
Following last year’s Magic Flute, the Manoel Theatre will be presenting another show for children: Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. The re-orchestration and musical direction is by Sarah Spiteri while the choreography is done by Emma Loftus. The cast includes: Chris Agius Darmanin and Jules Sacco (Peter/Hunter) Florinda Camilleri (Bird) Clarissa De Giorgio (Cat) Yanica Fenech (Duck), Jes Sciberras (Wolf)Toni Attard (Grandfather) and Erin Stewart Tanti – (Hunter). The musicians are Godfrey Mifsud, Ulrike Buhlman, Renzo Spiteri, Christine Vella, Albert Garcia, Silvio Zammit and Sarah Spiteri.
The performances will take place on April 5 at 6.30pm and on April 6 at 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Special prices will be on offer for families. Bookings can be made by phoning the booking office on 21246389, via on line booking system (www.teatrumanoel.com.mt) or by sending an email to booking@teatrumanoel.com.mt

MUSIC

March 22
You’ll beg for more!
Beheaded, Loathe and Cypher will be playing at Poxx Bar, Paceville. Doors open at 21:30. Entrance at €8 includes a free drink.

March 24
BJs Live Music Marathon
The Annual BJs Live Music Marathon in Paceville starts at 5pm. Local musicians and bands will play non-stop for the entire week. The aim of the initiative is to collect money for charity and to help preserve live music as a form of entertainment. There are still free places left for musicians. Those interested in participating are to contact Philip Fenech on 99493534.

March 29, 30
Akustika
An acoustic evening at the St James Cavalier music room. Featuring Carlo Muscat on saxophone, Luke Vella Clark on percussions, Martina Falzon on piano, Mario Farrugia on bass, Antonio Olivieri and Malcolm Bonnici on guitars and Isabel Zammit and Justin Galea on vocals. Starts at 20:00. Tickets are at €7. Book at St James by phoning 21223200. info@akustika@zhnmalta.org

April 3
I Fagolini
Renowned British vocal ensemble I Fagolini will be presenting Claudio Monteverdi’s Flaming Heart, under the musical direction of Robert Hollingworth at Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana. The concert in Malta is an extension of the annual BOV Opera Festival at Teatru Manoel. The concert is organised in collaboration between the British Council and bookings, through the Teatru Manoel, can be made by phoning the booking office on 2124 6389, via online booking system (www.teatrumanoel.com.mt) or by sending an email to bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt
EXHIBITIONS

Until March 20
New Faces 2008
Gallery G is showcasing the work of 11 up-and-coming artists as selected by the gallery’s judging panel, in the fourth edition of ‘New Faces’. Gallery G’s exhibition halls and Gallery shop (No 4, Sir Ugo Mifsud Street, Lija) are open to the public between 09:00 and 17:00 on weekdays and 09:30 and 12:30 hrs on Saturdays. Contact details: 21421984/5. E-mail Address: grimand@medzone.com.mt

March 29 – May 4
Visage
An exhibition of drawings, etchings, oils and sculpture by Jesmond Vassallo & Francesco Astisculptures at the Contemporary Room, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. Open Monday to Sunday from 09.00 - 17.00 (Last admission 16.30.)

Until March 30
Grazzi Malta
‘Grazzi Malta: An art exhibition with works by Olaug Vethal (1946-2007) whilst in Malta from 1988-2007’ will feature 40 works of art and other artifacts that reveal the relationship of this artist with the Maltese people whom she loved to paint. It is taking place at the St James Cavalier Upper galleries. This is the first exhibition and publication following the artist’s death on February 24. This exhibition will reveal the stylistic changes in her art from the very first presence of the artist on the island till the very last stages of her life, during her illness. The influences of the Maltese culture, people, way of life and light are reminiscent in her works following comparisons to when she first arrived.

Until April 6
Reading Cabinets
An installation by Raphael Vella at St James Cavalier. A corridor in the lower galleries of St James Cavalier has been transformed to house a unique display that presents many of the drawings in bright red plan chests with drawers that can be opened by viewers. Entitled Reading Cabinets, the exhibition also includes a number of large drawings that were produced after the Modern Art Oxford show and are being shown in public for the first time at St James Cavalier.

Until April 13
Boats, Balconies and Buildings
An exhibition of paintings and watercolours by Lionel Coates and Narinder Coates at Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta.

April 18 - May 28
Ix-u jien
Exhibition of paintings by Dustin Cauchi at the Loggia, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. Open from 09:00 until 17:00 (last admission at 16:30). The opening will also serve as a launch for Francesca Mangion’s book, which will feature illustrations by the artist.

Until April 15
WATCH
A collaboration between Vince Briffa (Malta), Ken G. Hay & Seetha A. (Moorland Productions – UK) and J. Michael Anderson (UK) at the Loggia, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. Open Monday to Sunday from 09.00 - 17.00 (Last admission 16.30.)

Until April 30
Perception
Exhibition of paintings by Robert Farrugia at Juuls Bar, St Julian’s. Sponsored by Marsovin.

QUIZ NIGHTS

Thursdays
Quiz Nights held at Ciao Frà, Xemxija. Entrance next to Beachaven. Every Thursday at 21.00, tables team up to fill in a self-completion quiz pack of 40 general knowledge and current affairs questions. Winners receive Lm10 discount off their bill and a bottle of bubbly (both winners and runners-up). Participation fee Lm1. Reservations call: 99458567.

 




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