THE ESSENCE OF AUREUS... CRAFTSMANSHIP, BEAUTY, LONGEVITY

• Aureus is perfectly positioned between Alcoideso and Lo Lineo and is just a few moments from tfie sweeping, undiscovered sandy beacfies of Torrenueva.

• The apartments have been designed to take in incredible views of the coastline and, in particular, the imposing Rock of Gibraltar and the mountains of north Africa beyond.

•Aureus is a luxury development of open-plan studios and two bedroom-two bathroom apartments, designed along a neo-classical theme with decorative columns and ornamental pools.

• Communal facilities include swimming pools, a reception area, restaurant, gymnasium, laundry and paddle tennis court.

• All of the apartments are sold fully furnished and include hot/cold air conditioning.

MAIN F[:ATURE.S

• Fully furnished

• Fully fitted kitchen ond bothroom {includes white goods)

• Ceramic flooring

• Hot/cold air conditioning w• Generous terraces

• Security gated entrance to development

• Car parking

• Communal gardens

• Swimming pool

As the John Mackintosh Hall is ready to host the highlight of Gibraltar's cultural calendar, the Competitive International Art Exhibition (thirty-third edition) this February, newly appointed Fine Arts Association president Gino Sanguinetti gives us an insider tour on do's and don'ts for this prestigious showcase of figurative talents, made even juicier by the prospective of handsome cash prizes.

The only big "don't ask" apply ing to this edition is the fact that the artists won't know beforehand who the sole adjudicator is, as the Min istry of Culture is keeping the Royal Academician's identity a secret.

This is to avoid speculation on his or her artistic background to influence the artists into submitting works in line with it, more as an adjudicator-pleaser move than as a spontaneous self-expressing entry.

This art exhibition is indeed char acterised by quintessential freedom of expression for competitors and adjudicator — the artists having carte blanche on subject matter and the adjudicator in professionally and impartially picking the win ners.

Unlike the Fine Arts Gallery that favours almost exclusively artwork designed for house or small office decoration, the International Exhi bition welcomes and rewards what is conceived and upsized for open spaces, like an entrance lobby, and for visual impact from afar.

There are no rules about offen sive entries, probably because, as Gino remarks,ardstically speaking 'offensive' isn't a mathematic rule (he would find more offensive an ugly picture of the Rock than a beautifully captured yet daring ex plicit erotic scene) — so far no en try in thirty-two years raised af fronted eyebrows.

"Actually, I am disappointed be cause I have seen very few eye brow-raising subject matters hopefully I will this year, because I like to be surprised!"

Gino admits that a sprinkling of controversy is only healthy for an event that aims to gain wide-breath reputation: "If an international art exhibition becomes too comfort able, it isn't a good sign, because if no one has the extra oomph to raise eyebrows,then there must be some thing missing."

A maximum of two artworks per artist are allowed: this solution was a welcome change last year to scrap controversial pre-selections and guarantee that all works entered will be displayed.

Nevertheless, Gino considers that two paintings or sculptures aren't enough to judge an artist thoroughly: "An artistic trajectory must be analysed over a period of five or six years," he says adding that the one-hit wonder isn't so ap- pealing if it doesn'tsuggest a prom ising follow-up.

The event is a success with local and foreign artists alike, in a per centage that Gino estimates around 60 to 40 respectively and,consider ing the practical difficulties encoun tered In exporting artwork, it is a positive index on the popularity of the contest abroad.

Abroad principally meansSpain, of course, but many paintings and sculptures come from the UK and Morocco,and itisn't unusual to see ing submissions from other Euro pean countries,the States and even Japan or Israel!

The big marketing novelty this year is the stylish posters distrib uted around town to alert people, especially tourists, about the event and attract visitors and potential buyers, since the Mackintosh Hall manages all sales of artwork la belled tor sale, charging a percent age on the price tag.

Gino laments that the general public's response isn't as enthusi astic as it could be and the exhibi tion is visited principally by peo ple somehow involved with the lo cal art scene, artists and their fami lies and friends, trendsetters, opin ion-makers, while 'regular Joes' shun away from the once-a-year chance to explore — free of charge — the newest paths offigurative ex pression at your doorstep, without queuing for hours at the Tate!

Are local people too parochial for avant-garde artwork? Not more than elsewhere in the world, Gino reckons: no matter whether it is in Paris, London or New York, there always will be some picture bound to cause quite a stir-

Unfortunately size still matters in a materialistic society struggling to embrace the concept that art shouldn't be sold by square metre or by weight,and therefore prefer ence is for big paintings or sculp tures, where the hours of hard work are evident or the paint-covered surface is broad,a reassuring token of real value for money.

"Like the pyramids, sweat and investment must be obvious in the artwork for it to deserve recogni tion, while the result of a stroke of genius in just a couple of brush strokes seems unworthy of its fat price tag," observes Gino, who is a strong supporter of artists produc ing art for the sake of free expres sion rather than commercialising and prostituting their talent to fastselling banal subject matters.

Entries are often a more wellguarded secret than a bridal gown and local artists reluctantly share with others their choices: afraid of plagiarism? Afraid of being jinxed? Afraid of embarrassing compari son?

All will be unveiled at the John Mackintosh Hall on Monday 6'^ February during the grand opening and prize giving ceremony, where a total of £ 7,500 is up for grabs in five prizes, including the Gibraltar Theme and Young Artist. The exhi bition is open until 17''' February.

Gibtelecom Competition Winners

Rental Of Pc Boxes

Prizes worth over £3,600 were awarded to local secondary schoolchildren by Gibtelecom's Chairman the Hon Fabian Vinet and the company's CEO Tim Bristow.

Following the success of last year's event, in which over 400 middle school children entered Gibtelecom's 'Design-a-Card' competition,the company decided to hold the contest again this year, with the two secondary schools having their turn at creating a de sign combining the themes of Christmas and Telecommunica tions.

Once again over 400 entries were received, with the First Prize going to Gabriella Sardena, Year 8 Westside, who received a voucher to buy a mobile phone from any local retailer up to the value of

£300, plus two £25 Reload cards. Gabriella's design was also used for Gibtclecom's corporate Christ mas card.

The Best in Year prizes were £200 mobile phone vouchers and a £25 Reload card, which were awarded as follows; Year 8-Bayside Jeremy Evans; Year 9-Westside Tasmin Griffiths; Year 9-Bayside Jake Bell; Year 10-Bayside Alex Benady;Year 10-Westside Emma Rowbottom.

Emma Rowbottom received an additional £50 on her voucher for having had her card selected for the front page of December's Infoiteios which was sent to all cus tomers.

The First Prize winner's school, Westside, received a cheque for £2,000 worth of computer equip ment. This cheque was present^ to head teacher Mr Gordon.

The service is available to businesses and members of the general public as well as associations and other organisations. Mail deliveries to PO Boxes are second to none. They are the least susceptible to service disruptions of any kind and secure.

The opening of a second corridor earlier this year has increased the number of P 0 Boxes available for rent.

The public counter was re-sited to the new wider corridor as it affords easier access to wheel chair bound visitors.

Rental Period

The rental period is from 1st April to 31st May the following year.

Rental Payment

Rental fees are payable in advance.

Rental Fees

Large Box @ £70 per year, plus a one off refundable deposit of £30.

Applications for Rental

PO Box applications are processed by the PO Counter at the General Post Office, 104 Main Street,(Tel- 43697).

Opening Mrs- 9am - 1pm & 2:15pm -4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Enquiries

As well as the GPO PO Box counter, enquiries may also be made at or at the PO Boxes Counter in Irish Town, which is open from 9am to 4:15pm, Monday to Friday.

Alternatively you may wish to email us at postoffice@Qibtelecom.net.

Royal Gibraltar Post Office