The Official MIPP Newsletter
November 2014
FOCALPOINT
Issue No. 45
www.mipp-malta.com
EDITORIAL
November, the month of the
last big push for our calendar at MIPP. It is when the annual convention takes place so this month is going to be a busy one! I am also actually enjoying a challenge on Facebook which is all about black and white photography. Basically you get nominated to post b&w images for five days and everytime nominating someone new. I find it a good way of showcasing one’s hidden work so hope most of you get nominated and take up this challenge.
Assistant Editor Kerstin Arnemann
This past month of October and this upcoming month of November seems to be jam packed with events all around. As you can see from the ‘Out & About’ section we have pointed out 4 very interesting exhibitions to go to. It is also very important i to see what other fellow artists are doing in the scene so that you get inspired and learn more, regardless if it is photography or not! Meanwhile, I urge you to book for the convention! Happy November to all!
Find us on: Therese & Kerstin!
If you want your photos featured on the newsletter’s front page just send the images to newsletter@mippmalta.com. Your contributions are always welcome!
Newsletter Team Editor: Therese Debono Assistant Editor: Kerstin Arnemann Design: Therese Debono Article Vetting: Vince DeBono Articles: Various contributors Editorial Advice: Kevin Casha Contact: newsletter@mippmalta.com
NOVEMBER 2014 pg 2 pg 4 pg 11 pg 13 pg 16 pg 19 pg 20 pg 24 pg 29 pg 30 pg 31
cover artist
President’s viewpoint Featured MIPP member Upcoming Event Member’s Contribution Competition Meet the Speakers Foreign Photographer Out & About Secret Photography MIPP Calendar Members’ Gallery
CONTENTS Going beyond the confines of the frame Pt 1 Alex Attard MIPP International Convention Turning Full Circle; Ondre Camilleri Gaglione Our Sea, Our Identity Joe Attard Achraf Baznani November Events Military Mtarfa Mark your diaries Members’ Photos
Alex Attard Barrakka Lift “There is something primordial about the Barrakkalift that fascinates me. The team from Architecture Project in my opinion, managed to successfully link the past to the present by executing what is essentially an elemental, contemporary structure. It projects itself between the sixteenth century, fortified walls of the city proclaiming its existence in instant harmony within its historical context. The photograph presented on the cover was part of a study series on the subject. It’s a hand held shot, as I was not carrying a tripod at the time, and the intention was always to reshoot. I visited the location several times but never found the same agreeable lighting and somehow this is still my favorite image”.
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Going beyond the confines of the frame
Kevin Casha
Photography’s greatest fascination, for me, is that it is always throwing up new questions and challenges. It is not unlike the exploration of space – no sooner is one planet superficially explored than one needs to start researching another far off planet or galaxy. The process is never ending and the word infinite, which usually is synonymous with Space, conjures the same feeling when spoken in context with the world of photography. Civilization’s advancements in technology, not only in hardware and software, but in scientific forms, have opened up a myriad of possibilities of further investigating questions about most forms of Art. The photographic medium in particular is no exception. The thirst for knowledge and learning more and more about my passion has always stimulated me to attempt to go that little bit further, to always endeavour to learn more about photography. Actually, the more I try to explore the more I actually realize that I know so very little and that a lifetime is definitely not enough! Due to this knowledge ‘obsession’, two years ago I decided to embark on a Masters Degree course at the University of Malta. This Degree was in Contemporary Digital Fine Art and a huge chunk of it was directed at current photographic trends, concepts and technology. The voyage was not an easy one - it was a gruelling full time course which, added to my photographic lecturing duties at the Malta College of Arts and Technology, I had to handle the course with the obvious time restrictions that I was faced with. On this occasion, it came in handy that I am a light sleeper and that I usually only sleep around six hours a. Thus my ‘active’ day was longer. As this course progressed, two factors became increasingly apparent: The first was that the path I had chosen when embarking on this journey had led me to a process of self discovery; The second was that research, in all its forms, catapulted me into a whole new universe of knowledge – knowledge that I was not previously interested in or even remotely aware of. In a relatively short period, I felt that my vision, not only of the art world, but of actual life, had widened to a radical degree. The whole exercise and process, although turbulent at times, positively stimulated and sharpened my appetite for continued learning and discovery. My thought process became progressively more sensitive, intuitive and I am now more eager to embrace diversity as well as further inclined to evaluate issues through an open and
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viewpoint
receptive mind. I have become very much aware of the conditioning that we are all being subjected to through society, education, geography, social media, religion, politics, internet and so many other sources. I am now taking nothing for granted and totally avoiding making sweeping statements and observations without first thinking in depth. Imagery has always intrigued and fascinated me, so I have always tried to study and explore how images are not only created but how they are perceived. How is an image defined? Which are the main influences which impact a person when studying an image? Is it the creator of the image, is it the conditioning, and is it the knowledge of the individual that influence the viewer? How does the relationship change between the viewer and the ‘viewed’ when the space between the two is affected? How much can the advancement of Digital technology impact the way images are viewed? How is the power of a photograph harnessed in order to impact today’s ‘image crazy’ lifestyle? The more one researches, the more questions one is confronted with. To be continued....
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PHOTOGRAPHY - So much of it everywhere! Alex Attard
In this edition for featured member we caught up with Alex Attard who gave us his insight on the many photographic opportunities around us which we seem to miss out on!
I think it’s important to start by asking ourselves what photography means to us. Personally, photography is my voice to my creative sentiments. It is my language for artistic expression. It is about my creative ability and the power to understand and meditate upon something that has aroused an emotion within me and to proceed to record it through photographic technique. Through photography I have learnt how to visually listen and appreciate the things we very often take for granted. I am also a firm believer that without passion you cannot produce anything worthwhile, which begs the next question. Am I passionate about photography? I am, Below: “Bus Ceiling Symphony tryptych” - shot on the last days before all the old buses were retired from service to make way for a new transport system.
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featured member
and have been so for quite a few years. I still wake up in the morning feeling excited about what I do and about the opportunities the day may bring, but then again, what I am really passionate about is the necessity to be able to express my creative side. As I was born into a family of photographers, it was a natural progression for me to take this direction. However, it wasn’t until eight years ago, after a hiatus of over twenty five years, that I felt the urge to pick up the camera once more and embrace the digital era. The world of photography had changed enormously and I found I had to practically start afresh. I studied the art of the digital print and strived to equal the visual qualities of film through this new medium. My work is mainly focused on personal projects, particularly, but not exclusively, on architecture related series. Architecture has always been my other passion and by profession I used to design and convert old buildings. This explains my preference for architecture related subjects but in reality, beauty is the catalyst for my work. Beauty inspires me to look into, rather than look at. I am fascinated how one can find beauty in the most unexpected. How light and shadow exalt the ordinary and how the beautiful is infinite in its beauty. This has led me to photograph some unlikely subjects notably, the black and white turkey portraits series.
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Geometry is another source of inspiration. The beautiful lines found in nature and in architecture. When I look at a piece of architecture I try to look at it through the architect’s eyes when it was still lines on a piece of paper. Every building has a psychology to it and therein lie different layers of perception and interpretation. Essentially what inspires is an attitude of the mind towards recording what I perceive as beautiful and interesting. The best pictures affect us before we can analyse them but this is not always so straightforward. Pressing the shutter is just one act in the recording of an image and deciding what has to be left out is as important as deciding what to leave in. Currently, I’m finalising a photography project that I have been working on for the last couple of years. It evolved through what I believe to be a novel interpretation of an interesting concept and which I hope to share with you in an exhibition next year.
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Right: Two images from a new series forming part of the exhibition “Reasonable Dreams” curated by Architecture Project at La Galerie d’Architecture, Paris.
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Above: “The Unpardoned” - A series of turkey portraits shot with a 50mm lens up close and personal. Oppostie Page: It’s all about Jazz.
Images & Article by Alex Attard www.alexattard.com
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MIPP INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION In Collaboration with The Societies
This year’s MIPP International Photography Convention is fast approaching. Below you will find the final prices so reserve your seat at this informative convention. The early bird prices are a steal, so take advantage of them now! See you all at the Convention! 1. 3 day Convention – EARLY BIRD booking inclusive of the MIPP’s Annual Award Dinner at €125.00 (for MIPP and/or MPS members only & booking before 30th Octorber). 2. 3 day Convention - FULL SUBSIDIZED TICKET inclusive of MIPP Annual Award Dinner €150.00 (for MIPP and/or MPS members only). 3. 3 day Convention only at €125.00 Full Price Subsidized ticket (for MIPP and/or MPS members only). 4. 3 day conference only - EARLY BIRD bookings at € 95.00 (for MIPP and/or MPS members only). 5. 3 day Convention only for Non MIPP/MPS members at €160.00 6.
One day Convention ticket at €60.00
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Extra Award Dinner (for partners, guests) at €30.00 per person Bookings at bookings@mipp-malta.com
Awards dinner is the MIPP Annual’s Dinner. This will be a part plated buffet including wine and water. This is open to partners and friends as it is a great way to socialize with fellow photographers.
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member’s contribution
TURNING FULL CIRCLE I simply could not resist Ondre Camilleri Gaglione’s images from the recent airshow, which he posted on Facebook. I insisted he shares his images and experience here with you on the newsletter. Read on!
You don’t have to be a plane spotter to find aircraft fascinating, especially when
they’re the RAF’s Red Arrows. Their aerobatic displays are among my favourite memories of my childhood in Malta. As a teenager, I spent years living at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire in England. There were no Red Arrows there at the time. It was during the Cold War and RAF Scampton was home to Vulcan bomber squadrons – grey war machines, not bright red display teams. The V-bomber force remained in being until RAF Scampton reverted to a training role in 1982. That was the year I left for university.
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For me, things have now moved full circle. The Red Arrows moved to RAF Scampton in 1983, I came back to Malta in 1987, the Cold War ended here in 1989. Malta, the Red Arrows and I all turn 50 this year (some of us have aged better than the others – well, nine out of 11 isn’t bad) and the displays at this year’s Malta Air Show were the last in the Red Arrows’ 50th anniversary programme. When shooting these pictures, I tried to capture the spectacle, rather than the planes themselves. The first day was a trial run. I looked at the approach flight paths, the angles of the planes, the light and the position of the sun. That made shooting on the second day much easier, especially since the weather was much better. I also have to thank Harold Felice and the staff on the Canon stand. Their assistance and the loan of their cameras and lenses helped make this triple 50th anniversary shoot one to remember. http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafscampton/ http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/
Article & Images by Ondre Camilleri Gaglions
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OUR SEA, OUR IDENTITY A photographic Competition and Exhibition by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) in collaboration with the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP)
Photography Competition and Outdoor Exhibition Life BaHAR for N2K is an EU funded project aimed at gathering scientific information on ecologically important habitats present around the Maltese Islands. As part of the awareness component of this project, MEPA is organising an outdoor street photographic exhibition which will be set up in a number of different localities around Malta and Gozo. These exhibitions will be spread over two summers (2015 and 2016). The exhibitions will present a stimulating range of photos which will offer a better understanding of the diverse sea and marine habitats found within the Maltese archipelago and the roles played by different stakeholders. The photos exhibited will be chosen following a competition for participation. Out of the general entry, 20 photos will be selected and each printed on A0 display material. These will then be exhibited on outdoor panels. 12 photographs may be selected to feature in a calendar promoting this project. Printing, mounting and the setting up of the exhibitions are the responsibility of MEPA, and the entrant does not incur any costs whatsoever. The theme of the photographic competition is ‘Our Sea - Our Identity.’ The organizers are looking for outstanding images that preferably depict the interaction of people on the island of Malta with their marine surroundings. Suitable subjects may include divers, ferry crossings, boats, marine habitats and species native to the Mediterranean, seascapes, fishermen, bathers, beaches etc. Photo by Mario Galea More details here: http://lifebahar.org.mt/updates/
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competition
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MEET THE SPEAKERS The Annual Convention is coming next month, 14, 15 & 16th November to be exact. We have a programme packed with activities and lectures. Meet Joe Attard, one of the lecturers! Joe Attard has been an active photographer for the past thirty five years. After a spell as a professional in the 70’s and early 80’s working mainly in the advertising and commercial fields, Joe reverted to amateur status, which he believes, gives him more space to express himself photographically. His lifelong preferred medium is monochrome, and his work shows an evident mastering of technique, which he blends well with a fresh, modern approach in depicting his images. Joe is an Associate of the Malta Photographic Society (AMPS) and has won the coveted Photographer of the Year award for four times in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1997. He has had various works accepted and exhibited both locally and in International Salons of Photography. Presently Joe lectures photography at the MCAST Institute of Art and Design.
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ACHRAF BAZNANI Achraf Baznani contacted us here at Focalpoint to see if we have space for his work on our newsletter. On downloading his images and browsing through his website, it was clear that featuring Achraf was a good way of showing our members the talent of this Moroccon photographer!
M
oroccan photographer and filmmaker Achraf Baznani carries on the traditions of Surrealism with his wild, imaginative, and wholly impractical imagery. Among his inventive scenarios, small human figures, often the artist himself appears trapped within glass jars or the size of a camera lens; in other works, Baznani more or less dissects his body, as for example, in one, he cleanly removes his brain from his cranium, or in another, twists off his hand, as if though were a light bulb. Throughout some of his works there are strong images of humour and wonder, and his art offers a Surrealistic take on life experience in the digital age. A self-taught artist, Baznani has no formal photography education. He lives and works in Morocco.
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featured foreign photographer
Statement: Conceptual photography is, first and foremost, about the concept of the photo. A conceptual photographer tries to bring some message to the viewer, be it a political advert or a social commentary or an emotional outcry. There is some level of abstraction, thus, in my works, the image is not an explicit example of the concept, but a general expression of the idea. Conceptual photography makes healthy use of graphical symbols to represent ideas, movements, moods, anything and everything that the photographer might want to include in the message of their photograph. In my work, there is a variety of ways a concept falls into place, more often it starts with a spark of inspiration and grows from there, whether it is a person, design, story that needs to be told, regardless, it all starts with a single point. From there it becomes simple problem solving. I don’t spend a long time looking at what other people are doing. I like to stay aware and connected to what others are doing by following sites such as Flickr. But beyond that, I spend the rest of my time meeting people, creating, and really just living life. I think the best way to being inspired is not to just try to emulate others, but to find what inspires you in life and trying to capture and share it. I use Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 4. I use Lightroom to correct and change the colorimetrics. Then I work out the rest with Photoshop retouching. To learn how to master these tools, I spent hours in front of my computer to study the tutorials available on the Internet. www.baznani.com
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OUT AND ABOUT
November Events
Since art is not only about photography, Kerstin came up with the brilliant idea of selecting a few monthly events and pointing them out to our members so that you visit these interesting exhibitions/installations/ book launches and be inspired! Enjoy!
FIRST TIME SOLO EXHIBITION Location: Palazzo De La Salle, Republic Street, Valletta Start Date: 15 November End Date: 19 December Website: https://www.facebook.com/firsttimesoloartexhibitionmalta?ref=ts&fref=ts Five Artists - Aaron Bezzina, Gabriel Buttigieg, Kerstin Arnemann, Sam Falzon, Samuel Sultana.
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CONSTRUCT Location: St. James Cavalier Castille Place, Valletta Start Date: 10 October 2014 End Date: 9 November 2014 Website: www.celiaborgcardona.com www.facebook.com/events/737361299672205 In October 2014 Celia Borg Cardona will present her new collection of paintings in a show titled ‘Construct’ at the Upper Halls of St James Cavalier. In this exhibition, Celia’s recent work shows that her steadfast interest in streetscapes and bird’s eye views of gatherings of people has now turned into a focus on sweeping, soaring architectural views of Maltese towns, sometimes on correspondingly oversize canvases. Celia was born in Oxford, UK in 1957, studied at the University of Malta and then acquired formal art training at the Malta School of Art. She spent several years in the studio of Anton Calleja and has since put aside her career in pharmacy to dedicate herself full time to painting. She has been exhibiting her work in a number of collective and solo exhibitions, in Malta and overseas, since 2004. She has also received prestigious international commissions and a number of awards over the years. Curated by art historian Francesca Balzan, this exhibition will run from 10th October till 9th November 2014 at St James Cavalier, Valletta. Open daily. Free entrance.
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/ru:t/ Location: Maritime Museum, Birgu Start Date: 25th October End Date: 14th November Website: www.facebook.com/events/1485128491752705/ /ru:t/ is a collective exhibition that has been organised to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Malta’s accession to the EU. The exhibition is an initiative of Fondazzjoni Ċelebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali, and is being coordinated by Arts Council Malta, in collaboration with the Valletta 2018 Foundation. The exhibition will be held at the Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa between October 25 and November 14, 2014 and is being curated by Fabrizio Mifsud Soler. The exhibition will feature the work of 8 visual artists: Adrian Abela, Anna Grima, Charles Balzan, Elisa Von Brockdorff, Karen Caruana, Stephen Vella, Umberto Buttigieg and Victor Agius, whose work was shortlisted and selected following a call for proposals published in June. Some 22 artists responded to the call and a total of 35 works were put forth for this show. On the evening of the exhibition launch, one, overall winner, will be announced and awarded the sum of 3,000 euro to further his / her artistic training.
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Photo Exhibition by Lykke Stjernsward Location: The Gallery by Visionism, Pjazza San Guzepp, Qala, Gozo Start Date: 23 October End Date: 22 November
Lykke Stjernswärd is a many times published author and renowned photographer with many high class clients both in Switzerland, where she currently resides, and worldwide. Her new book captures her love and observations of the beautiful island of Gozo and the emotions it evoked in her during a recent visit. This exhibition and book launch is to be run simultaneously as a physical exhibition at The Gallery in Qala, Gozo and as a virtual exhibition at www.maltaartonline.com complete with “walk-through” 3D exhibition hall. All welcome to the opening on 23rd October. The artist will be present on the evening. Call +356 22156 1606 for further details.
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THE SECRET PHOTOGRAPHER This time round our secret photographer came back to us with some images from Military Mtarfa....he missed a good slot for the Middle Sea Race, however this write up and images more than make up for it! Thanks! Military Mtarfa is a showcase of the town’s past as a garrison for British Army regiments. The most imposing buildings are the former hospital and the clock tower. A Number of NGOs attend, mostly with lovingly restored ex-army vehicles and equipment, even weapons. They are usually in period uniform which are meticulously researched and often authentic. Some parts of Mtarfa’s buildings that are normally off limits to the general public are opened – such as the morgue and the ex hospital itself. These events are a great photo opportunity for they guarantee unusual viewpoints
MIPP CALENDAR 14, 15, 16th November MIPP International Convention Le Meridien
7th December Xmas Party
Le Meridien
9th December Exploiting portable Flash photography 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
25th December Merry Christmas!
1st January Happy New Year!
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MEMBERS’ GALLERY
Into the Blue by Kerstin Arnemann
Serenity bby Simon Attard d
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