KaneCali Studio
What does one do when being tasked with designing an award for the arts? Back in 2017 this was exactly what I was asked to create.
The shear subjectivity of this three-letter word, ‘Art’, and the vast spectrum of practices under its umbrella presented limitless interpretations for representation. I soon realised this could prove problematic!
How does one approach representation when faced with the least definable word? The answer would come with approaching a totally subjective word with total objectivity.
After careful consideration the answer came in the form of a sound recording of the word ‘L-Arti’, reordered by a representative from the Arts Council (commissioning body) and specifically spoken in Maltese to directly attach the sound patterns created to the mother tongue.
This was then used to translate and visualise through the universal language of sign waves. The phases generated would then, determine the award’s form, with some room for artistic license.
2023 saw the redesign of the award. Still holding true to its design philosophy, the award gave way to its protruding ceramic shell, only to be replaced with a tighter, sleeker extract, made directly in 3D printed metal.
This gave the award a less baroque feel; giving it instead, a more postmodern aesthetic.
