Arrow of Time Collaborators
*Etnika
Since 1999, the project developed large-scale productions in site-specific contexts, reclaiming unused public spaces for cultural activities whilst spearheading the revival of traditional Maltese music by discovering creative pathways towards original artistic expression within the context of contemporary trends.
An unlikely mix of artists, characters and instruments, *Etnika‘s sound layers enchanting melancholy with traditional tunes & lyrics over effected guitars, retro-futuristic synths, unconventional percussion and footwork, deep, groovy bass, raspy sax, haunting whispery vocals and old Maltese instruments.
Expect a few detours, expect the unexpected, this band has a big heart.
*Etnika have developed a reputation locally and internationally as Malta’s leading world music band.
The band has always believed in the need to validate inherited musical content and traditions within a new context, particularly since the traditional contexts for much of the music has been lost. Through this project, the Etnika group have addressed the need to develop innovation on tradition by further developing the repertoire and documenting it for the legacy of the band and its musical repertoire. The recording of a new CD production by the band is now an important necessary milestone for the continued legacy of the Etnika story, the music and the research it is based on. The recording provided an opportunity for the band members to creatively work on research and archive material for continued development of a repertoire reflecting local musical traditions through an artist-in-residence that served as a period for investigating ideas, sonorities and texts thus generating and developing a repertoire based on local sources. This period included writing of lyrics, utilisation of newly written and established folk poetry, stylistic development on traditional instruments, as well as a closed performance of the work generated during the residency. The project is therefore conceived as a vehicle for documenting years of work and ideas which have accumulated yet have never been published.
MUSICIANS: Guitar – Andrew Alamango, Vocals and Keyboard – Alison Galea, Dance – Francesca Grima, Flute and Sax – Walter Vella, Bass – Oliver Degabriele, Percussion – Andrej Vujicic
Magna Zmein
Preserving memories of Malta’s audiovisual heritage.
During the twentieth century the world began to capture events of everyday life on film and tape. The Maltese were no exception, recording moments of family life, community, language and identity in photographs, 8mm film and audio tape. Today these artefacts and their content have become part of our intangible heritage.
Magna Żmien was set up as a grassroots movement in 2017, advocating for the digitisation and preservation of these unique home audio-visual collections to form a community archive accessible to researchers and artists.
Magna Żmien set out to salvage Maltese memories that lay neglected and deteriorating on their original analogue carriers, freeing them from obsolete playback formats by converting them to digital files. By offering a free digitisation service to the public, we give individuals and communities access to previously lost images, sounds and narratives. This content is shared on our platforms and through our activities, preserving it for future generations, while being careful to credit and respect the wishes of the donor. We believe that all the material we gather in our archive is part of our shared heritage, and that this heritage must be properly cared for.
BuenaSombraFilms
BuenaSombraFilms is a Seville-based audiovisual production company with a strong connection to art, music, and flamenco . It was founded with the goal of finding new avenues for art, based on a vision linked to cinema.
Led by its founder, Félix Vázquez, BuenaSombraFilms explores the fields of events, documentary, photography and video art, always through a unique perspective and at the service of creativity.
Our production company has numerous projects under its belt with renowned artists and organisations that endorse the quality of our productions. These include several National Award winners, such as Miguel Poveda, Israel Galván, Rocío Molina, Javier Barón, Isabel Bayón, Ricardo Iniesta, and Jesús Carmona.
In the events field, we are regular collaborators in various national and international festivals. These include the Seville Flamenco Biennial, the Jerez Flamenco Festival, the Netherlands Flamenco Biennale, the Athens Experimental Contemporary Flamenco Festival, the Mont de Marsan Flamenco Festival, the Querétaro Flamenco Biennial, and the Seville Early Music Festival.
This projection, from Seville to abroad, has given us experience, recognition and international positioning.
Felix Vazquez: Although above all he defines himself as a creative, Félix Vázquez works professionally in the fields of documentary, photography and sound.
Her unique vision of flamenco and dance has taken her exhibitions to places like New York, Mexico, Panama, France, and Germany, as well as numerous other cities in Spain. Her photography collections include projects such as “A mí la luz” and “El flamenco está en el aire,” both exhibited at the 2010 Flamenco Art Biennial.
In the field of sound, Félix Vázquez is a recognised name within international flamenco companies, having made numerous musical and concert recordings. Notable among these are the DVDs “Real” by Miguel Poveda and “Sinergia” from Argentina , both nominated for Latin Grammy Awards . Among other accolades, he is nominated for the Forqué Awards and the ASECAN Awards for Best Sound for the documentary “13. Miguel Poveda.”
Currently, and after collaborating on various production companies and projects, he founded and directs BuenaSombraFilms, where he continues his constant need to create.
