The Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) opened with Transcending the Domestic by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, renowned for her monumental sculptures and immersive installations. The exhibition marks the start of MICAS’s bid to become a global contemporary art hub.
Joana Vasconcelos, known for her large-scale, mesmerizing installations, has created a collection of works that transform everyday domestic objects into statements on gender, identity, and societal norms.
For Vasconcelos, the exhibition represents more than a showcase of her work; it is a platform for engagement. She has integrated elements of Maltese culture into her installations, drawing inspiration from the island’s history, craftsmanship, and traditions. Her creative use of lace, ceramics, and textiles reflects a deep appreciation for the local heritage while staying true to her thematic focus on the domestic sphere.
Transcending the Domestic contrasts iconic pieces such as Tree of Life, The Garden of Eden, and Valkyrie Mumbet with installations that explore the tension between daily life and the quest for emotional and spiritual liberation.
The Garden of Eden transforms a garden—traditionally a harmony between domesticity and nature—into a fabricated, mechanical space. Using artificial flowers, rotating lights, and synchronized motors, the installation creates mesmerizing color shifts and illusions of movement, symbolizing humanity’s domination over nature.
Bob Dylan’s surreal verses from Visions of Johanna set the tone for an immersive exhibition that challenges perceptions through bold plays of color, shape, and scale. In the Loft installation, Vasconcelos transforms a seemingly ordinary flat into a space of discomfort, with strange shapes emerging from walls, symbolizing a rebellion against the rigid social boundaries rooted in family life.
Previously exhibited at the Château de Vincennes in 2023, Tree of Life is a monumental homage to nature rooted in the tradition of Magical Realism. Its fabric-rendered roots blend biomorphic and zoomorphic forms, symbolizing the tree—and by extension, woman—as the origin of all things.
The MICAS exhibition space itself has also become part of the conversation. Located within Valletta’s historical fortifications, the new venue juxtaposes contemporary art with Malta’s rich architectural heritage.
Designed by a team of international architects, MICAS’ architecture serves as a striking backdrop for Vasconcelos’ bold works. The institution seeks to promote dialogue between local and international artists, establishing Malta as a hub for artistic expression.
The exhibition, running until mid-2025, presents Vasconcelos’ vision alongside MICAS’ mission, complemented by workshops, talks, and community programs designed to engage the local public and deepen appreciation for contemporary art.
