They’re the problem because they combine unshakeable self-belief with shallow understanding and lack insight into the deficiencies of their world-view. Some are considerably influential among those who shudder at the thought of being classed as Labour hamalli but who don’t mind at all associating themselves with people who speak and write properly in English.

TL,

there’s a contradiction in your argument, cultural elitism is brought about by the same circles which should do the exact opposite.

Recognition, as you term it, will only become opportunity as soon as the idea that there’s some ‘high art’ in need of subsidy is gotten rid of.

Art, like anything else, is subject to the public’s perception, if an artist refuses to engage, it’s their choice. In that case, it’s not even something to consider.

But please let us not settle for the crap that somehow a public needs to be educated to appreciate. Talent and the determination to nurture it, will come through.

As for art as some sort of national expression, will you outline the qualities?

It doesn’t have to be plastered. Doesn’t even have to be on canvas.

There’s some talent out there, the fact they don’t subscribe to galleries, sponsors and conventional media leaves them free.

Even because they will interact digitally with Piano’s algorithms. Wired, hungry and determined to experiment.

I question whether we have enough modern art by Maltese artists, good enough to be exhibited in museums, to fill a room let alone a museum.

If on the other hand they want to set a Modern Art Museum to house international modern art then they might have a case. But I doubt whether Malta owns modern art by international relatively-acclaimed modernist artists let alone by acclaimed modernist artists.

People who advocate the setting up of a Modern art Museum in Malta makes me question whether they really know what ‘modern’ means. And they make me wonder whether they’re confusing it with ‘contemporary’. In art & architecture, there is a clear distinction between ‘modern’ and ‘contemporary’.

That collection happened to be full of reproductions.

I’ve sketched out the plot of Fifty Shades of Red, which was cut off by the damned election. I was thinking of publishing it in serialised form, not out of any artsy fartsy pretensions, but as a marketing ploy. Keep the audience hooked, and keep the money flowing in.

How are Malta’s more British than the British the problem when they are a minority group?

I find that the problem as you call it is the Sicilian rather than the British influence on Malta. The bad manners, the narrow-mindedness, the paranoia, the pomposity, the religious/cult-like devotion.

[Daphne – Sicilians do not have bad manners, but rather the opposite: they are gracious and formal. Some Sicilians give all Sicilians a bad name in this respect.]

Baxxter, if only this could be but a teaser into another novella. Please, do regale us on the subject.

NB
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324020504578396742330033344.html?mod=e2tw

Perhaps not. If I recall correctly, he was quite advanced in age. Most likely just needs a nudge.

There’s something about the subservient dipping movement of the head that many, many Maltese make when meeting somebody and shaking hands, or upon leaving a meeting, a group or an acquaintance, that strikes me (negatively) – every single time.

Does it need to be done? I think it comes from a simultaneous linking of the moment to the internal expression that might be happening, even if not verbally expressed, due to choice of language coding: obbligat… inservik…

Check. It’s quite a national habit, despite the more British than the British.

Is it necessary? So many consequential small actions happen off this, and so many big ones.