MAY 11-31
Decadence, Now. is an exhibition of artworks, objects,
music and paraphernalia
from the Decadent movement
This project claims, to a great extent, that the critical study of decadence should not be confined to its traditional association with morbidity, a cult of artificiality, exoticism and aestheticism. Although these topics dominate the thematic texture of the decadent movement, as well as its lasting influence upon twentieth-century culture, they also continue to fuel a whole new wave of contemporary decadentism in visual culture. Decadence, Now. argues that decadence [...] is a zeitgeist which has been carried on well into the twenty-first century, as it continues to discuss the future of the end of world.
In keeping with the theme of Decadence, Now., the Salons will showcase some of the most beautiful repertoire in the German, French and Italian canons. Each programme will explore different aspects of decadence – the passions, the ecstasies, the risks and the consequences.
THE EXHIBITION
Decadence, Now. looks to the curatorial as an art method in and of itself, with the exhibition becoming the ultimate art object. In doing so it seeks to reposition artefacts, reconstruct narratives and reopen artistic debates […]. The significance of fragments – of objects, people, places and ideas – is that they persist beyond their time or context. Through processes applied to these fragments, there is a reemergence that allows them to shed their relevance to take on new meaning and enthuse novel ideas.
Through a reactionary method, this project […] creates movement and excitement, through a dialogue which is best described as innately and intentionally, curatorial.
Free entrance
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 9.00 – 19.00
Sat 9.00 – 13.00, 18.00 – 19.45
Sun 18.00 – 19.45
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| THE ITALIAN CONTRIBUTION |
D'Annunzio and decadent translation
a lecture by Dr. Elisa Segnini (University of Glasgow)
May 17 at 17:30
at Casino Maltese (map)
Free entrance
Registration required* by Sunday May 14
Indulge in a free glass of prosecco in the magnificent setting
provided by the Courtyard of the Casino Maltese!
Gabriele D’Annunzio is not the inventor of decadence but, as Guy Tosi wrote, is certainly its "most encyclopedic representative". This lecture will focus on his activity as a translator, on his relationship with his translators and on the global afterlife of his work, with a focus on what it means to produce a "decadent" translation.
The case of D’Annunzio, in fact, demonstrates that translation and biographical writing can be considered decadent practices with porous boundaries, that involve a nostalgic rewriting and re-imagining the past, as well as a journey of inner introspection.
Dr Elisa Segnini (PhD, University of Toronto) is Lecturer in Italian and Comparative Literature at the University of Glasgow. Her research focuses on Italian literature in a world literature perspective, with a focus on fin-de-siècle and contemporary fiction. She has written on the relationship between literature, visual arts and thought, on theatre translation, and on translingual and multilingual writing. She is the author of Fragments, Genius and Madness: Masks and Mask Making in the fin-de-siècle Imagination (Legenda, 2021), and of several articles on multilingualism in fiction. With Michael Subialka, she co-edited the book "D'Annunzio and World Literature: translation, multilingualism, reception", in press with Edinburgh University Press. She is a co-editor of the journal Comparative Critical Studies.
*Due to the limited number of seats, all registered participants are kindly requested to notify the Institute via email (segr.iiclavalletta@esteri.it) should they be unable to attend. In fact, a waiting list will be available in case of cancellations.
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Tanto la vita
salon recital
May 20-21 at 20:00
at Malta Society of Arts (map)
Admission: €20.00 (Student Concession) | €30.00 (Standard Price)
Doors Open at 19:30
Songs by Paolo Tosti and operatic extracts from La Bohème and Tosca by Giacomo Puccini are explored by tenor Raffaele Abete and soprano Gillian Zammit - accompanied by Lucia Micallef with salonnière Denise Mulholland - to create an experience which goes beyond the realms of a traditional recital. Dreams, hopes, desires, love – they shape our lives, they compel us to continue living. Even when faced with our own mortality and the inevitability of death, we live with ferocity and passion.
SONGS and ARIAS
Paolo Tosti (1846-1916)
'A Vucchella
In Van Preghi
Non Pianger più
Tanto accadrà
Sogna, sogna, mia cara anima!
Ninna Nanna
Visione!
Vorrei
L’Alba separa dalla luce l’ombra
Karl Fiorini (1979-)
O falce di luna calante
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Tosca
E lucevan le stelle
La Bohème
Che gelida manina
Si, mi chiamano Mimi
O soave fanciulla
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THE PROGRAM
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This project is supported by Arts Council Malta’s Programme Support Grant, the Embassy of Austria, the Embassy of France, the Embassy of Germany, the Embassy of Italy, the Embassy of Spain, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Heritage Malta, University of Malta Department of Art & Art History, University of Malta Department of English, Valletta Cultural Agency, Camilleri Paris Mode, MAPFRE Middlesea, MAVENRY, University of Malta – Department of Art & Art history, University of Malta – Department of English, MAPFRE Middlesea, SA Consult, Von Peach, 66 St Paul’s Valletta,Transcripta, Intervisions (framers), Casa Rocca Piccola, Artemisia Fine Arts & Antiques, Express Trailers, The Malta National Archives and is under the patronage of Valeria Limentani and Jordi Goetstouwers of the Virgata Group.
