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 more than a movement or compendium of transgressive themes and images by which it is usually identified; it 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.
11.05.2023 – 31.05.2023
Malta Society of Arts, Galleries, Valletta
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri 9.00hrs – 19.00hrs
Saturdays: 9.00hrs – 19.30hrs
Sundays: 9.00hrs – 13.00hrs, 18.00hrs – 19.30hrs
Admission: FREE
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; creating a friction and a presence that is expressed by a number of individuals investigating a common theme. 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 takes the status of the fragment and runs with it. It celebrates debate amongst artists and audiences beyond the specificities of art history, allowing the exhibition space to tend more towards the mirror at a specific moment, rather than a museum that portrays another. In this way it creates movement and excitement, through a dialogue which is best described as innately and intentionally, curatorial.
“Decadence, Now.” seeks to explore thematic universality not in the Object, but in the Subject, or rather, the plurality of the views of the subject. This radical displacement and inversion of art object and viewership is the base of postmodern and contemporary art practices. In the history of art and literature the metamorphosis of sources and plurality of subjectivity has inspired and delivered new fragments that continue the cyclical process of art production.
Reactionary Artists: Andrew Borg Wirth, Luke Azzopardi, Michael Zerafa & Maria Theuma
Decadence, Now. runs from May 11 to 31 at the Malta Society of Arts in Valletta.
This project is supported by Art’s 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.
13.05.2023 – 14.05.2023
Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo De la Salle, Valletta
Admission:
€20.00 (Student Concession)
€30.00 (Standard Ticket Price)
Doors Open: 7.30PM
Start Time: 8:00PM
Songs by Mahler and Strauss are explored by baritone Andre Morsch, accompanied by Charlene Farrugia, with Salonnière Gillian Zammit. Mortality, rebirth, eternity, solitude – in the midst of life we are in death. Inexorably we move towards our last breath, but we move in a golden profusion. There is fear, but there is also peace – confusion but certainty.
‘What now are merely eyes to you, in nights to come will be stars’.
Over the course of three weekends, the concert hall at Palazzo de la Salle will be transformed into a fin de siècle salon. Traditionally an environment which sought to either please or educate, the Salon was the heart of experimentation, debate, creativity and discovery. Each event will be hosted by a Salonnière and will incorporate not only exquisite music and performance, but poetry, letters, musings and reflections. 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. Using these works as inspiration, Karl Fiorini will premiere a new song cycle: his reactionary response to the songs written during the bel époque. With text from Salome and poems by D’Annunzio and Baudelaire, the songs will act as a connective thread running through each of the performances.
Performers Andre Morsch, Charlene Farrugia and Gillian Zammit, will come together to create an experience which goes beyond the realms of a traditional recital.
To book your tickets please visit www.showshappening.com
20.05.2023 – 21.05.2023
Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo De la Salle, Valletta
Admission:
€20.00 (Student Concession)
€30.00 (Standard Ticket Price)
Doors Open: 7.30PM
Start Time: 8:00PM
Songs by Tosti and operatic extracts from La Boheme and Tosca are explored by tenor Raffaele Abete and soprano Gillian Zammit accompanied by Lucia Micallef, with Salonnière Denise Mulholland. 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.
‘And I have never loved life so much. So much life’.
Over the course of three weekends, the concert hall at Palazzo de la Salle will be transformed into a fin de siècle salon. Traditionally an environment which sought to either please or educate, the Salon was the heart of experimentation, debate, creativity and discovery. Each event will be hosted by a Salonnière and will incorporate not only exquisite music and performance, but poetry, letters, musings and reflections. 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. Using these works as inspiration, Karl Fiorini will premiere a new song cycle: his reactionary response to the songs written during the bel époque. With text from Salome and poems by D’Annunzio and Baudelaire, the songs will act as a connective thread running through each of the performances.
Performers Gillian Zammit, Raffaele Abete, Lucia Micallef and Denise Mulholland will come together to create an experience which goes beyond the realms of a traditional recital.
To book your tickets please visit www.showshappening.com
27.05.2023 – 28.05.2023
Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo De la Salle, Valletta
Admission:
€20.00 (Student Concession)
€30.00 (Standard Ticket Price)
Doors Open: 7.30PM
Start Time: 8:00PM
Songs by Debussy, Hahn and Duparc are explored by soprano Gillian Zammit, accompanied by Lucia Micallef, with Salonnière Maria Theuma. Sensuality, intoxication, obsession, tenderness – to lose yourself in these feelings, to experience these heightened sensations, to feel every nerve ending in your body vibrate with the sheer ecstasy of living. Such reckless passion may be destructive but if you have never experienced it, can you say with any certainty that you have really loved?
‘Are you not the oasis where I dream, and the vessel from which I drink deeply the wine of memory?’
Over the course of three weekends, the concert hall at Palazzo de la Salle will be transformed into a fin de siècle salon. Traditionally an environment which sought to either please or educate, the Salon was the heart of experimentation, debate, creativity and discovery. Each event will be hosted by a Salonnière and will incorporate not only exquisite music and performance, but poetry, letters, musings and reflections. 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. Using these works as inspiration, Karl Fiorini will premiere a new song cycle: his reactionary response to the songs written during the bel époque. With text from Salome and poems by D’Annunzio and Baudelaire, the songs will act as a connective thread running through each of the performances.
Performers Gillian Zammit, Lucia Micallef and Maria Theuma will come together to create an experience which goes beyond the realms of a traditional recital.
To book your tickets please visit www.showshappening.com
Buy a ticket to each of our salon recitals and benefit from a 20% discount on your final bill.