PROJECT PELLICOLA

ART DIRECTION by CLAUDE BORG

2018 | Restoration Directorate

A five-step diagram illustrating the design process, from concept sketching to final product, including technical drawings, 3D modeling, application of materials, and lighting. It features sketches, technical drawings, 3D models, and rendered images of an architectural or sculptural project.

Designed by Claude Borg, the Pellicola was a site-specific architectural art installation created as the centrepiece of the Connecting Geographies – From Idea to Project exhibition. The installation took the form of a sculptural ribbon that wound its way through the four barrel-vaulted halls of MICAS, creating a continuous visual and spatial journey for visitors.

The exhibition embraced a holistic approach, combining experimental design with the architectural work developed by the professional architects behind the MICAS project since its inception. This was further enriched by the creative contributions of architecture students, reflecting the collaborative nature of the museum's development.

Sketch of a dungeon or storage layout with five vaults labeled Vault 1 to Vault 5, and various annotations detailing measurements, underground features, and possible tunnel openings. Several smaller sketches depict curved and linear tunnel configurations, with notes about tunnel ceiling, possible entry points, and dimensions.

Original Sketch by Claude Borg

Construction scaffolding inside a room with white walls and an arched doorway.
Construction scaffolding inside a building with arched ceilings, ongoing renovation work, and a pink informational sign.
A photography setup with two white backdrops secured by clamps on a metal frame, inside a room with a curved ceiling.
Construction site inside a tunnel with scaffolding, wooden planks, and large curved white panels.

The customized ribbon connected all four barrel vaults while also serving a practical purpose. It provided an integrated framework for monitors, projections, and exhibition displays, allowing visitors to experience the evolution of the MICAS project through archival photographs, maps, sketches, videos, and architectural visualisations.

Measuring 63 meters in length, the Pellicola was a rigid PVC installation that required three months to fabricate and install. An average team of five people worked on the project each day, making it one of the most ambitious installations produced for the exhibition.

  • Man in yellow shirt and jeans standing in a room with arched walls and an abstract sculpture hanging from the ceiling made of curled printed material.
  • A person with long dark hair and a beige sweater stands and looks at a large, hanging map or diagram on the wall in an indoor setting with beige walls and metal scaffolding support.
  • A large, curved display board with printed images and diagrams, suspended by clamps in a workshop or museum setting, with a person standing nearby.
  • Two people working on a large, curved, printed display held in place with clamps inside a building with stone walls.
  • Exhibition display with large curved printed panels arranged on the floor, featuring architectural drawings and project information, set against brick wall backgrounds.

Although the Pellicola was dismantled in July 2023, a single 8-metre section has been preserved, remaining as a testament to the innovation, craftsmanship, and collaborative effort behind this remarkable installation.

Black and white photograph of a large, curved, printed display panel showing architectural design plans and images, set against a textured concrete wall with a white folding chair in the foreground.
A curved brochure or magazine page featuring interior architectural design images of a large, open space with a ceiling grid pattern and people walking inside, placed on a textured, off-white wall with patches of peeling paint and exposed brickwork.
Group of people viewing an exhibition with large, curved printed displays hanging from the ceiling.
A long, curved display board with architectural plans, sketches, and images, mounted on a wall in an exhibition space.

THE TEAM

DESIGNER Claude Borg

3D MODELLING Gregorio Giubilaro

PRODUCTION TEAM Claude Borg, Carlos Buttigieg, Sumaya Ben Saad, Gregorio Giubilaro, Rebecca Mifsud, Charlene Borg, Stefano Pace Parascandolo, Samuel Ciantar, Sephora Schembri

A group of seven diverse people standing together inside an art gallery or museum with curved walls and large images or videos displayed on the wall behind them.

THE EXHIBITION

Connecting Geographies – From Idea to Project was the architectural exhibition marking the launch of the MICAS concept. Held from 5 October to 12 November 2018, the exhibition was curated by Dr Ruth Bianco, Art Director of MICAS.

At the heart of the exhibition was the Pellicola, an installation that presented the MICAS concept as a work in progress. Acting as both a sculptural element and a narrative device, it guided visitors through the conceptual development of the museum, illustrating the architectural vision and the transformation of the site from its historical past to its future identity.

The exhibition brought together archival photographs, historical maps, video clips, and restoration records sourced from the Restoration Directorate, alongside evolving architectural sketches and design material developed by Ipostudio. These elements were seamlessly integrated to create an immersive experience that traced the project's journey from its earliest ideas to its architectural realisation.