LuginsLand of Art project crowns one of the architectural gems in Malta – Villa Luginsland. This unique 19th-century residential palace designates a part of its historic space, as a creative hub for artistic events, fostering international exchange and dialogue. The visionary behind the concept is Omenaa Mensah, a Polish philanthropist, art lover, and the founder of OmenaArt Foundation.
“For the first time, we are happy to open the doors to LuginsLand of Art. My team and I have been working on this unique project for many months. We are excited to share the beginning of something truly special. I have always had a profound admiration for historic edifices. I am extremely excited to breathe new life into one of the most significant historical sites in Malta and provide an opportunity to share a dedicated area with the artistic community in the future” – says Omenaa Mensah.
Where intercultural exchange is in the nature of art
LuginsLand of Art aims to be a part of the international art scene, leading initiatives from the areas of art, design, architecture, and business. The exhibition currently on display, entitled “Space & Time”, is curated by Slovakian set designer and architect – Boris Kudlička. It opened on the 15th of March and showcases works of Maltese and Polish artists. It presents site-specific installations immersed in the cultural and historical references of the Villa but also the works from the artists’ pre-existing series. The visual narrative of the exhibition displayed in the 19th-century residential palace establishes a dialogue between neo-renaissance architecture and contemporary art, aiming to create an intersection between the past and present through intercultural exchange. It is quite expressive how the interior design of the historic site, like the polychrome wall paintings by Giuseppe Cali, or terracotta sculptures featuring Alessandro Volta and Galileo Galilei, and the ornamental metalwork of the villa, resonates with the works of the contemporary artists invited to collaborate with the foundation. The exhibition features 19 international, renewed artists, among them: Mario Abela, Victor Agius, Matthew Attard, Norbert Attard, John Paul Azzopardi, Austin Camilleri, Monika Falkus, Antoine Farrugia, Maurycy Gomulicki, Nicolas Grospierre, Michał Jackowski, Ida Karkoszka, Lia Kimura, Marcin Maciejowski, Karol Palczak, Janek Simon, Nikola Vudrag, Xawery Wolski, Jakub Julian Ziółkowski.
The commissioned site-specific art installations at LuginsLand of Art feature the works of Maltese artists Matthew Attard, Victor Agius, Mario Abela, and Antoine Farrugia. These pieces start a dialogue between the history, nature, and architecture of the Villa, concerning its profound spirit and story. From Matthew Attard’s digital landscapes to Victor Agius’s sculptures, these works invite us to start a dialogue between what’s in the past and what’s in the present. Mario Abela’s installation prompts viewers to reflect on their impact on the world, while Antoine Farrugia’s use of Maltese limestone pays homage to the villa’s architecture. Nicolas Grospierre presents his 3D mix media lightbox Agate Grotto (2021), which draws inspiration from the geological wonder of geodes, where crystals develop within rocks, hidden from view until the outer layers are broken. That is an interesting conversation the artworks on display encodes.
“The main inspiration for the exhibition is the villa itself, its profound history and marvelous architecture. We invited renowned Maltese artists to create site-specific works that represent the dialogue with the space and temporal dimensions of the villa. I am very happy with the diversity of the collection as the artists utilize different mediums and each of them presents their unique perspective to the subject”. – says the curator Boris Kudlička.
There’s also a Polish representation, among them Xawery Wolski who presented his aforementioned 2018 sculpture Uprising. Wolski began experimenting with the chain form in the late 1980s when he permanently left Poland to avoid the potential consequences of his political involvement. Now, he is presenting the work in the central point of the villa (image below), inviting the audience to contemplate the sculpture in an original, international, and unique setting.
Michał Jackowski presented his work The Empty Gold Man Black (2023). The sculpture seamlessly blends elements of antiquity with contemporary themes. Drawing inspiration from Greco-Roman art traditions and modern Italian artistic movements, the artist incorporates reflections on present-day society and consumption.
Monika Falkus presents her recent work, a large painting La Tristesse (Sadness after orgasm) (2024). When we intimately share a bed, we often project mutual rejection onto each other. We construct fantasies of infidelity and scenarios of betrayal in our minds. With the work the artist asks, is it just a shared experience of pleasure or something else? „Every second, 2,500 couples in the world experience sexual pleasure. Each bonding orgasm consistently leads to the next stage – separation”, the artist says.
The outside of the villa, except for the Uprising, has another art piece that’s a part of the exhibition. The Gardens of Hesperides: A Modern Tale of Philanthropy and Art (2024) by Nikola Vudrag, positioned within the gardens of Villa Luginsland, serves as a striking visual representation of the ancient myth of Hercules and the golden apple. Constructed with polygonal forms, the sculpture reflects the essence of geometry and mathematics, showcasing the precision and elegance inherent in the natural world. The essence of the artwork lies in the dynamic interaction between the steel. This luminous, comforting glow, shielded and shaped by the steel, serves as a metaphor for the sculpture’s connecting threads – it embodies the inherent interconnectedness of humanity and the profound impact of assistance. Much like Hercules’s altruism illuminated his journey to the golden apples, the sculpture’s brilliance illuminates the garden and touches the hearts of all who behold it.
Together, from Lia Kimura’s impasto and expressive stains in her work Inevitable (2022), through Digital Landscapes (2024) by Matthew Attard and all the aforementioned works, this large ray of artistic representation forms an intriguing display of creative expression, inviting visitors to explore the intersection of time and space at the 19th-century historic palace.
The mission is to explore and learn it all
Alongside the exhibition, LuginsLand of Art presents an educational program launched on the 23rd of March with the panel ‘Art & Architecture’, followed by the session ‘Art & Archaeology’, and ‘Art & Conservation’. The program includes discussions and workshops, focusing on art and its relation with architecture, archaeology, and technology. These artistic events feature distinguished Maltese and international artists, art historians, and art professionals who bring their perspectives on historical, social, and anthropological issues. As the Villa is under meticulous restoration, the visitors have a unique opportunity to explore the ongoing construction process and preservation efforts.
Save the date! There will be two more events in May: Art & Technology, on the 18th of May and Art & Legacy on the 31st of May.
“LuginsLand of Art is a truly extraordinary place and I feel honored to be part of this project. Together with my team, we’re making sure that every single detail is being preserved concerning Villa’s history and heritage. We aim to bring this inspiring building to its former glory. Looking towards Villa’s future, I am thrilled to see the transformation of our vision into reality”. – says the director of LuginsLand of Art, Joanna Popiół.
As LuginsLand of Art unveils its new multicultural artistic platform, it invites the audience and community to experience a convergence of art and history through time and space. Well, the quote of Oscar Wilde summarizes it all: “No better way is there to learn to love Nature than to understand Art”. Let the exploration begin.
The educational program will extend until the end of May, save the dates: Art & Technology – 18th May, Art & Legacy – 31st May
The exhibition is open for visitors during the Educational Programme and on the selected days: May 20th-24th and May 27th-30th 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. To visit the exhibition, you should register here.
