The Bank of Valletta, in partnership with curator Elyse Tonna, has announced the finissage of its ambitious contemporary art project titled "Moving with the Wind, Like Waves," currently installed at the historic Inquisitor's Palace in Birgu, Malta. The closing event is scheduled for January 4, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., providing the public with a final opportunity to experience the exhibition and its accompanying programs within the storied walls of the 16th-century palace. Commissioned by the BOV Foundation, this large-scale project has transformed one of Malta's most significant heritage sites into a dynamic space for artistic exploration and dialogue. The finissage represents more than just a closing ceremony; it serves as a culminating moment of cultural exchange where visitors can engage directly with the artists and experience their works in the context of the palace's rich and complex history.
The exhibition, which has been on view throughout December, features works by nine contemporary artists who were selected through a highly competitive open call process. The participating artists include Victor Agius, Laura Besançon, Ryan Falzon, Wioletta Kulewska Akyel, Julian Micallef, Jacob Saliba, Sheldon Saliba, Matthew Schembri, and Tom Van Malderen. Working in close collaboration with curator Elyse Tonna and supported by the Heritage Malta site curatorial team, these artists embarked on months of intensive research, dialogue, and on-site exploration to develop their contributions. The project was conceived as a slow, deliberate, and collaborative process that allows contemporary artistic practice to enter into meaningful conversation with the palace's architecture, museum collection, and its often undocumented, layered histories. Rather than presenting a singular narrative, the exhibition offers multiple entry points for visitors to engage with the site's complexity.
Spanning a diverse range of mediums including installation, sculpture, film, sound, drawing, and performance, "Moving with the Wind, Like Waves" foregrounds the quieter forces that exist beyond official historical narratives. The artworks explore themes of gestures, material traces, ecological systems, residues, and forms of care as persistent elements that continue to shape how the palace is experienced today. Each artist has responded to the unique atmosphere and history of the Inquisitor's Palace, creating site-specific works that challenge traditional notions of heritage presentation. The exhibition encourages visitors to look beyond the conventional museum experience and consider the intangible aspects of history that are often overlooked in official accounts. This approach aligns with contemporary curatorial practices that seek to democratize cultural spaces and make them more accessible and relevant to modern audiences.
The public program for "Moving with the Wind, Like Waves" began during the opening weekend in late November with live performances and readings by artists and invited practitioners who responded spontaneously to the palace environment. Throughout December, the program expanded to include workshops, conversations, and guided explorations that deepened public engagement with the exhibition. The January 4 finissage will bring this extensive programming to a close with a full day of shared encounters. The schedule includes two curatorial tours led by Elyse Tonna at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., offering insights into the curatorial vision and artistic processes behind the project. Performative and participatory interventions will be presented by artists Tom Van Malderen, Laura Besançon, Ryan Falzon, and Matthew Schembri throughout the day.
Additionally, visitors can view a continuous screening of an original 8mm film developed during Julian Micallef's workshop, providing a meditative visual component to the finissage experience. At 2:30 p.m., a collective movement intervention led by Julienne Schembri of Dance Beyond Borders will take place, inviting participants to engage with the space through embodied exploration. The event will conclude with traditional Maltese coffee and informal conversations within the palace, fostering a sense of community and reflection. Reflecting on the project's significance, curator Elyse Tonna stated, "The finissage is not simply a closing, but a final moment of exchange, where the ideas, questions and gestures that shaped the project can be encountered together, in conversation with the artists and the site itself."
The BOV Foundation has expressed strong support for the project, emphasizing its commitment to broadening cultural participation and encouraging artistic experimentation. A spokesperson for the foundation, the Deputy Chair and Bank of Valletta Chief Operations Officer, commented, "Moving with the Wind, Like Waves affirms our belief in art's ability to transform how we engage with heritage spaces and contemporary narratives. We are proud to support a project that brings together exceptional Maltese and international talent and opens up new ways of experiencing one of Malta's most historically significant sites." Attendance for the finissage is by registration only, with registered participants granted complimentary access to the Inquisitor's Palace, waiving the standard museum entry fee for the day. Interested visitors can register through the provided online link, ensuring their place at this final celebration of a groundbreaking exhibition that has reimagined the relationship between contemporary art and historical heritage.
