If you were to take a world map, and increase its scale so that Malta was legible, the star that denotes Valletta on the map would almost cover the whole country.
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A Maltese Emigre attempts to make sense of Malta's fragmented, post-colonial identity
Welcome to the Search for a Maltese Identity
The aim of this BLOG is to investigate notions of Maltese identity - whatever that may be. It started as part of my Postgraduate Studies in Architecture, but has taken off from that and will hopefully grow into a lifelong exploration!
It all started with a project 'Contract', where I set out my initial observations and intentions. Whilst I am no longer strictly trying to fulfill the aims I set myself in the contract, it still helps as an introduction to Malta and my relationship to it.
This is not meant to be a closed record but a forum for discussion, so please leave your comments - they will help propel the project.
Thank you,
Cristina (Nina) Gerada
The aim of this BLOG is to investigate notions of Maltese identity - whatever that may be. It started as part of my Postgraduate Studies in Architecture, but has taken off from that and will hopefully grow into a lifelong exploration!
It all started with a project 'Contract', where I set out my initial observations and intentions. Whilst I am no longer strictly trying to fulfill the aims I set myself in the contract, it still helps as an introduction to Malta and my relationship to it.
This is not meant to be a closed record but a forum for discussion, so please leave your comments - they will help propel the project.
Thank you,
Cristina (Nina) Gerada
the map project:
Simshar The Film
The Contract
Friends
1. Henry Coppini
My grandfather, a Maltese retired civil servant and author of “Castille Behind the Scenes”. He was born in 1927, and has lived in Malta for most of his life, including during the Second World War. He is a great source of information on Maltese politics and is also a great story-teller of the Malta he has known.
2. Rebecca Cremona
Maltese émigré and film-maker. Rebecca’s scripts and films are often centred around notions of identity, nostalgia and being Maltese. I intend to use Rebecca as a sounding board for ideas and a source of inspiration.
3. Joran Rapa Manche
Maltese-Londoner and illustrator. I have chosen Joran because he will be able to attend crits, and because he is very opinionated and honest. If the project were to become too personal or unrealistic I am confident that he will point it out.
4. Edward Said
Maltese restoration architect, of the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (Malta Heritage Trust) and writer for “The Architect” a Maltese Architectural Publication. Edward knows the workings of Maltese Planning and Architectural practice, he is also a bit of an activist and intends to start a magazine called “Only in Malta”. I think his interests in conservation and his extensive knowledge on Maltese heritage will make for some challenging conversations on the future of Maltese Architecture.
5. Signy Svalstoga
Postgraduate Academic Leader at the ASD, and Diploma Unit 10 tutor. The themes and methodology explored in diploma unit 10 are of interest to me and are relevant to the project, I believe Signy could provide insight into working with varying scales, and exploring notions of memory and tactility.
6. Jon Mitchell
Social Anthropologist whose main research site is Malta. I intend to use him as a sounding board in terms of notions of Maltese identity, to ensure that my observations and assumptions are not too one-sided.
7. Manuel & Anne-Marie Baldacchino of the Limestone Heritage, Malta
I plan to discuss the material; its properties, associated crafts, the processes of extraction and use, its potential for use outside of its traditional function as a block material and the potential of the quarries that are left behiind after its extraction.
8. Maltese Traditional Tile Maker
When in Malta I also plan to meet with a traditional tile-maker to discuss the process of making patterned tiles using different coloured concrete and a metal mould.
9 Joe Gerada
My father has been an unofficial project friend since our map conversation in December. I have decided to make it official because his contributions have become key to the project. He drew the South of Malta, including Birzebbuga the village he grew up in - which eventually became my site. He explained the historical, social, economic factors that have shaped and changed this area and the reasons why it is so separate from the rest of Malta. Lately he is one of the people I find most helpful in answering almost any type of question I have on Malta, be it architectural, social, historical, economic or completely random.
My grandfather, a Maltese retired civil servant and author of “Castille Behind the Scenes”. He was born in 1927, and has lived in Malta for most of his life, including during the Second World War. He is a great source of information on Maltese politics and is also a great story-teller of the Malta he has known.
2. Rebecca Cremona
Maltese émigré and film-maker. Rebecca’s scripts and films are often centred around notions of identity, nostalgia and being Maltese. I intend to use Rebecca as a sounding board for ideas and a source of inspiration.
3. Joran Rapa Manche
Maltese-Londoner and illustrator. I have chosen Joran because he will be able to attend crits, and because he is very opinionated and honest. If the project were to become too personal or unrealistic I am confident that he will point it out.
4. Edward Said
Maltese restoration architect, of the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (Malta Heritage Trust) and writer for “The Architect” a Maltese Architectural Publication. Edward knows the workings of Maltese Planning and Architectural practice, he is also a bit of an activist and intends to start a magazine called “Only in Malta”. I think his interests in conservation and his extensive knowledge on Maltese heritage will make for some challenging conversations on the future of Maltese Architecture.
5. Signy Svalstoga
Postgraduate Academic Leader at the ASD, and Diploma Unit 10 tutor. The themes and methodology explored in diploma unit 10 are of interest to me and are relevant to the project, I believe Signy could provide insight into working with varying scales, and exploring notions of memory and tactility.
6. Jon Mitchell
Social Anthropologist whose main research site is Malta. I intend to use him as a sounding board in terms of notions of Maltese identity, to ensure that my observations and assumptions are not too one-sided.
7. Manuel & Anne-Marie Baldacchino of the Limestone Heritage, Malta
I plan to discuss the material; its properties, associated crafts, the processes of extraction and use, its potential for use outside of its traditional function as a block material and the potential of the quarries that are left behiind after its extraction.
8. Maltese Traditional Tile Maker
When in Malta I also plan to meet with a traditional tile-maker to discuss the process of making patterned tiles using different coloured concrete and a metal mould.
9 Joe Gerada
My father has been an unofficial project friend since our map conversation in December. I have decided to make it official because his contributions have become key to the project. He drew the South of Malta, including Birzebbuga the village he grew up in - which eventually became my site. He explained the historical, social, economic factors that have shaped and changed this area and the reasons why it is so separate from the rest of Malta. Lately he is one of the people I find most helpful in answering almost any type of question I have on Malta, be it architectural, social, historical, economic or completely random.
Labels
- aircraft carrier
- Alla
- archipelago
- architecture
- birzebbuga
- Britain
- british colony
- cars
- change
- chris briffa architects
- christmas day in malta
- coast
- colonisation
- colonizer
- concrete
- containers
- conteporary
- cranes
- crowded
- demolish
- emigre
- émigré
- erosion
- EU
- extension
- family
- film
- freeport
- frustration
- gozo
- heritage
- history
- home
- homesick
- identity
- island
- island sea
- isolation
- Italian
- Italy
- lido cinema
- limestone
- local community
- Malta
- malta freeport
- Maltese
- maltese town house
- map
- masterplan
- mayor
- Mediterranean
- memory
- North Africa
- nostalgia
- package-holiday
- play
- population density
- post-colonisation
- power station
- pretty bay
- production design. malta
- promenade
- public space
- Roman Catholic
- salt-pans
- save
- sea
- semitic
- SHU
- Sicily
- simshar
- size
- society
- south
- town planning
- Tunisia
- uncle lino
- uncommon guide
- Valletta
- waterpolo club
- wied il-buni
- winston churchill
- zejtun
I have said it before, but just to reinstate - ths map is such an eloquent method of emphasizing the smallness of the islands. Not only does it bring to light the vast disproportion of history associated with the islands in relation to its physicality, but also allows one to percieve a strong sense of denseness, especially when coupled to your earlier post-colonial observations....I love this map!
ReplyDeleteI would also suggest that it does not need an explanation. I think its more poignant that way.
Just out of interest, does the south-eastern arm of the star pass through your site?