Ma’ Nżul ix-Xemx – An audio-visual experience of Malta and Beijing

Ma’ Nżul ix-Xemx, an exhibition inspired by the collective memory of the city of Valletta and the city of Beijing by means of digital technologies, opens on 23^rd September 2021 between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m., in the basement of St. Augustine’s Church in Valletta, with entrance from Old Mint Street. This was announced by Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government José Herrera together with Chairperson of the Valletta Cultural Agency Jason Micallef.

Held through a collaboration between I+A (Malta) and Signal Alpha (China), this exhibition will guide visitors through an audio-visual experience providing a new perspective of these two cities which, though at first glance may appear to be totally different from each other, have certain similar aspects.

“A very interesting collaboration between the Valletta Cultural Agency and the China Cultural Centre which also involves the private sector. The scope of this exhibition is to twin the memories of two very old cities; Valletta and Beijing. The experience is innovative since it invites the visitors to experience old city life, not only visually but with their other senses,” stated Minister Herrera.

Valletta Cultural Agency Chairperson Jason Micallef said that, “This exhibition is one of the many cultural projects that the agency is organising. During this pandemic, we became aware of the importance of cultural arts and activities, which are intrinsic parts of our daily lives and human expression.”

Using four distinct spaces under St. Augustine Church in Valletta, four individual works of art will be set up. These will create a deconstructive version of these two cities. These works of art will therefore guide visitors through a journey through sensory similarities between Valletta and Beijing.

The four works of art are:

City Steps

An audio-visual installation that aims to present distinct auditory cues from Valletta and Beijing.

Cityscape

Cityscape aims to build on City Steps by taking auditory-visual cues to create a sensory experience that fuses Valletta and Beijing into one cityscape

Memory Chamber

Memory Chamber will connect the visitors with inanimate objects which represent the capital cities of Malta and China.

Sunset Field

The concluding installation will be Sunset Field, a contemplative space where two sunsets reacting in sync will represent a sunset in Valletta and a sunset in Beijing.

This exhibition is going to be held in partnership with the China Cultural Centre. Ma’ Nżul ix-Xemx will be open daily from the 23^rd September 2021 until 2^nd  October 2021, between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.