At the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca presided over the launch of a major exhibition of Picasso and Miro which will open in April 2018. This is the first exhibition of Picasso and Miro in Malta and perhaps of any modern painter of this stature. This exhibition is brought to Malta by Fundación MAPFRE, in collaboration with the Office of the President of Malta and Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti and will be part of a major international project “Picasso-Mediterranee” an initiative from Musee national Picasso-Paris, which is an international cultural event held from spring 2017 to spring 2019.
President Coleiro Preca said that this exhibition is sending a strong message of unity through the arts while also exploring innovative opportunities for cultural diplomacy, adding that, “we must all be the champions of cultural diplomacy, to share and promote a message of peace and solidarity – a message which should be at the heart of all our cultures, throughout our Euro-Mediterranean Region”.
On the venue of the exhibition, the President said that the Grand Master’s Palace presents us with an ideal venue to highlight the importance of this exhibition – not only for the people of Malta but also for the people of Europe – especially since Malta is currently celebrating Valletta’s term as the European Capital of Culture for 2018.
“I am confident that this exhibition of works by Picasso and Miro will further enhance the already impressive line-up of activities, but putting the spotlight on our creative sector, our capital city, and our Mediterranean region”, highlighted the President.
The President said that Picasso and Miro are both Spanish artists of the Mediterranean, adding that there is a clear and powerful Mediterranean character which is visible throughout their work.
“Their creativity is a celebration of the spirit and the soul of our region, of Mediterranean spontaneousness and vitality, and our unique historical and cultural contribution to the heritage of Europe and the world. This is also reflected in Malta’s place within the region as a bridge between continents and cultures in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea”, the President said.
During the press conference, Pablo Jimenez, Cultural Director of Fundación MAPFRE said that Fundación MAPFRE believes that Culture enriches people’s lives and they have spent many years bringing art and history closer to the public through exhibitions, courses, and publications which combine the interest of experts with the public.
Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro are two of 20th century’s most influential artists – the first founded cubism while the second was active in the emergence of surrealism. This exhibition displays 100 prints from the collection ‘Suite Vollard’ as well as 40 paintings of Joan Miro. The exhibition has been entitled ‘The Flesh and The Spirit’ and is presented as a double journey from black and white to colour and from violence to the celebration of life, from carnality to spirituality.
Fundación MAPFRE in collaboration with The Office of The President and Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti is offering this unique chance for those interested to learn more about two of the greatest artistic geniuses of all times and their creative process. As such, it is not just about significant and important works within the careers of the two artists as the works on display also allow us to question our own way of understanding art and enjoying painting. Visitors will be able to learn more about their artistic periods, their influences and their models, among other subjects.
Mr Pablo Jimenez said he is delighted to be part of this project to bring Picasso to Malta. He explained that Fundación MAPFRE has five specialised areas and collaborates with a range of public and private, national and international institutions, NGOs, museums, foundations, and associations to achieve its objectives.
The press conference was also addressed by Collections Curator at Fundación MAPFRE Leyre Bozal, Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista, and Opposition Spokesperson for Media, Culture, and National Identity Therese Comodini Cachia.