Xlendi today : artistic engagements

Abstract

The idyllic and popular bay of Xlendi on the island of Gozo has changed from a peaceful fishing hamlet into a fully developed tourist resort where construction has become rampant. It is evident that this overdevelopment has yielded economic benefits, but it has also permanently scarred the bay, altered its views, its sounds, the very essence of its being. The primary aim of this dissertation is to engage in a contemporary visual and artistic manner with the present-day realities of Xlendi. After discussing very briefly the geographical, historical, and demographic aspects of Xlendi, I will conduct an analysis on a sample of artistic interpretations of Xlendi to explore and understand how different artists engaged with this locality through the years. The project will then examine the findings of the analysed artworks to identify various lacunae which have not been addressed by the different artists under study. These reflections and insights will provide the basis and lay the foundations for the visual project. In addition, this dissertation highlights certain artists who shaped the methodology of this project. The visual project will primarily engage through different artistic media - such as painting, collage, printmaking, video and photography - with the various facets and realities of Xlendi Bay, focusing particularly on the aforementioned lacunae. This study also aims to visually record as much as possible life within the bay and its immediate surroundings, including marine activity, the natural environment, human activity such as diving, swimming, construction, together with the presence of tourists and locals, to produce a contemporary artistic portrait of the locality. It is also planned to record how Xlendi has changed over the years, and how the same spaces and environment transform themselves in different times of the day and the year. Through this engagement, this study ultimately aims to create an artistic project, which will immerse the viewers in a multimedia artistic experience of Xlendi and its environs. It will seek to make them ponder on alternative and unusual viewpoints, and make them realise the importance of preserving the last vestiges of beauty in this location. This project would not have been successfully completed without the unstinting support of so many. I would like to thank my dissertation supervisor, Dr Mark Sagona, who expertly guided me along this academic and artistic journey. His insightful approach to the History of Art and Fine Arts reveals deep knowledge of the subject. Special thanks also go to the head of Department, Prof. Keith Sciberras, the Fine Arts coordinator, Prof. Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, and all the lecturers at the Art and Art History Department. I would also like to thank Ms Nadette Xuereb for providing constant support. My profound appreciation goes to my classmates from the Department of History of Arts with Fine arts, particularly Matthew Shirfield and Filippa De Bono, for being a source of inspiration and for offering their support during this artistic and academic journey. My thanks extend to Kylie Aquilina for her invaluable help during the setting of the final visual project at Splendid, Valletta. I would also like to show my appreciation to Mr John Cremona, who was an indispensable source of information during my research. Special thanks also go to Fr Joseph Attard, who provided the opportunity for the collection of primary research. The project was facilitated by the collaboration of Mr John Borg and Mr Angelo Attard, who provided their narratives for the vocals of the recorded video. I also owe a debt of gratitude to Mr David Bajada and CVC Media for their help with videography. My thanks extend to Mr Tony Spiteri who modelled the clay statuette which was employed as an assisted ready-made in my visual project. I am also grateful to Mr Daniel Cilia, who provided one of his photographs as basis for the compositional planning of one of my collages. I am also indebted to all the artists who provided information about their artworks to be featured in this dissertation. Lastly, I would like to profoundly thank my parents, my family and my fiancée for their unending support.