PROJECT MDALLAM
ART DIRECTION by CLAUDE BORG, MARIAH BORG, SUMAYA BEN SAAD, REBECCA MIFSUD
2024 | Arch-con Atelier
The picturesque Maltese landscape is being overshadowed by towering structures that engulf the natural beauty of the island. Limited space is pushing for this construction of tall, slender buildings, resulting in reduced internal headroom. The quality of these constructions is deteriorating, forcing people to secure loans to afford cramped apartments of subpar quality. This pressing issue stems from the greed of certain individuals, which prioritize personal gain over societal well-being.
Meanwhile, the average person is grappling to maintain a decent standard of living. This alarming manifestation of greed can be attributed to a decline in morality. This moral erosion is not confined to the construction industry alone; it has well spread to other subject matters such as religion, culture, migration and identity. Malta, a tiny Island with a very finite land. The issue of limitation of space reflects the continuous surge to construct wherever, and whenever.
The installation Mdallam is an allegory of the present while contemplating on the future. From afar, the observer is visually drawn to explore the artwork by strolling around and discovering the permeable entrances woven into the sculptural composition and through the various volumes of haphazard different heights. While seated on the concrete steps, the observer can delve into reflective contemplation, exploring their own narrative of the Maltese islands.