rajt ma rajtx ... naf li rajt
__I/you saw, but I/you did not see... I know that I/you saw
Deriving from a local oral tradition the title hints at taking on a playful yet critical approach to interpreting socio-political contexts. Whilst in Maltese, the original phrase: rajt ma rajtx ... smajt ma smajtx (I/you saw but I/you did not see ... I/you heard but I/you did not hear) instils a code of silence behaviour commonly known as omertà, it also subtly hints at the complacency of individuals to act or react to ongoing happenings. Albeit slight, the intentional modification to the phrase makes a direct reference to Matthew's dialogue with an eye-tracker in their intention of drawing with the eyes. This also acknowledges that the eyes are involuntarily witnesses of any occurrence. Moreover, the exhibition reinforces a fictitious technosymbiosis characterization through a creative practice that links the eye-tracker to modes of contemporary drawing.
Acting as a tool, but moreover as a silent witness of the eye, here the eye-tracker brings to the forefront widespread local realities bound with ongoing complexities related to identity and context. The ultimate underlying notion of the exhibition is that of continuing with the exploration of eye drawing where the eye-tracker becomes the drawing equipment/collaborator, while uncovering notions of witnessing and seeing. Acting as a means of surveillance, the eye-tracker, the entity/the technology, offers undeniable proof of experience.
The exhibition will feature a number of site-specific interventions stemming from eye drawing performances manifested in particular contexts: ranging from mundane realities to unique locations. On the basis of a subjective intuition, the viewers are encouraged to interpret, question and debate through notions of seeing.
Other artists are being invited to contribute with supporting works reinforcing multiple points of view. These include: Caesar Attard, Nanni Balestrini, Aaron Bezzina, Matyou Galea, Francesco Jodice and Pierre Portelli.
Press release courtesy Valletta Contemporary.
15–17 Triq Lvant (East Street)
Valletta
Malta, VLT1253
www.vallettacontemporary.com
+356 212 416 67
Wed - Sat, 2pm - 7pm