I had the privilege of attending the opening of MICAS Friday night, and it was nothing short of transformative. From the moment we arrived, there was a palpable sense of excitement and gratitude, especially during Joana Vasconcelos’ heartfelt speech. She spoke with deep affection for Malta, honoring both its people and the team behind MICAS—a testament to the collaborative spirit that brought this ambitious project to life.
None of this, however, would have been possible without the vision and dedication of Phyliss Muscat, the driving force behind MICAS. Her remarkable effort in bringing this project to fruition has gifted Malta a world-class art space. Muscat’s leadership and commitment are evident in every detail, from the carefully curated works to the architecture that beautifully frames each piece, allowing art to shine in its purest form.
Walking through the doors, I was struck by the pure joy radiating from every Maltese artist in attendance. Finally, Malta has a space dedicated to world-class contemporary art, something long overdue. For those of us who had to leave these shores in pursuit of art, seeing MICAS open its doors was deeply moving, a wish fulfilled.
The inauguration took place beside Vasconcelos’ towering piece Solitaire, a monumental engagement ring installation that beautifully reflects MICAS’s commitment to Malta. This work is a celebration of desire—symbolizing the connection between people and place. Constructed from 110 gold car rims and topped with an inverted pyramid of 1,450 crystal whiskey glasses mimicking a diamond, Solitaire is a bold yet poetic declaration of love to the Maltese people. It’s a cheeky, elegant critique of consumerism, cleverly exploring the tension between power, status, and gender roles through this “ring” of grandeur.
As you move through the open-air front yard, two equally captivating sculptures greet you, one by Conrad Shawcross, the other by Ugo Rondinone Each work interacts with the space in a way that draws you into MICAS, where architecture and art harmonize rather than compete. The structure itself is a masterstroke, an architectural feat that honors and elevates the art it houses.
Inside, Vasconcelos’ Tree of Life stood out as a personal favorite. Its trunk, intricately adorned with sequins, and thousands of hand-embroidered leaves offered an exquisite blend of craft and vision. Never before have I seen such intricate beauty displayed in Malta; it was mesmerizing—a fusion of nature and artistry.
MICAS marks a new era for Maltese contemporary art, one that both honors international standards and affirms Malta’s place in the global art scene. It’s an invitation to experience the profound and the beautiful—a commitment, like Solitaire, between MICAS and Malta that I, for one, am thrilled to witness.