Valletta Design Cluster

The Valletta Design Cluster (VDC) is a culture and creativity centre. Inaugurated in 2021, it is housed in a former slaughterhouse known as the Old Abattoir that was originally built in around the 17th century. Throughout the years, the building also housed residences and soldiers’ barracks in the early 18th century, and later on parts of it were used for light industries including cotton spinning and bakeries. The bakery ovens remained operational until the late 1980s and they still exist today.

Venue Location:

designMT visiting hours:

30.09.2024 – 04.10.2024
10:00h-20:00h

05.10.2024
10:00h-20:00h

Free Entrance

List of Exhibitors

1

Embrace

The sculpture is a contemporary piece that embodies classical ideals of proportion, symmetry, and harmony, featuring two interlocking circular segments in a minimalist design. Crafted from 4 mm Corten steel sheets, it’s intended for outdoor display, where it will develop a weathered patina over time. The use of advanced technology, including CNC and laser cutting, ensures precise construction, bridging the gap between art and technology. The sculpture’s design reflects the pursuit of perfect proportions and harmonious balance, making it a serene focal point that beautifully merges contemporary and classical elements in any outdoor setting.

Christopher Saliba

Christopher Saliba is a Maltese artist specialising in abstract and expressionist painting, sculpture, and etching. After graduating from the University of Malta in 1996, he received a scholarship to study at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Perugia, Italy. Upon returning, he settled in Gozo, balancing his art practice with teaching. Saliba has held numerous solo exhibitions in Malta and internationally, including in Paris, London, and Brussels. He has received several awards, including at the 2007 Malta International Biennale. His works are featured in private and public collections in Malta and globally.

2

MINIMA

MINIMA embraces the balance of nature and a return to the timeless principles of order, proportion, and materiality. By integrating these approaches, architecture can harmoniously blend with its environment, bridging fundamental principles with modern needs to create enduring, meaningful spaces. This revival of thoughtful design promises to enhance the human experience and restore architecture’s essential role in shaping our lives and communities. 

Maurizio Ascione

Maurizio Ascione is a Maltese architect with a Master’s in Architecture & Design from the University of Malta. In 2019, he co-founded 3DM Architecture. His designs, influenced by architects like Alvaro Siza and Manuel Aires Mateus, focus on form, materiality, and light. Notable projects include Madliena House, twentyfour, Berta & The King George, and ISSA. He has received multiple awards, including the MASP Awards, German Design Council, and DNA Paris Awards. Ascione participated in the Venice Biennale in 2023 and has been selected to participate in BigSee in Slovenia and in the World Architecture Festival in Singapore.

3

‘Merkaba’ – The Flower of Life

GABE’s Merkaba Collection is a celebration of the beauty of the Maltese bobbin lace tradition. This collection highlights the unique charm and elegance of Maltese lace, renowned for its distinctive patterns and exceptional craftsmanship. By incorporating these traditional elements into contemporary designs, the Merkaba Collection honours the rich heritage of Maltese bobbin lace while bringing its exquisite artistry to a modern audience. The collection includes a crossbody bag, a crochet tote bag, and a mini bag all made from high-quality, natural fibres that ensure both strength and a soft touch while maintaining a chic and elegant look.

Gabriella Lukacs

Born and raised in the picturesque Hungarian countryside, Gabriella Lukacs has always been inspired by natural beauty. This deep connection to nature is the cornerstone of GABE, the fashion brand she founded in 2009. With an unwavering dedication to sustainability, she dedicated her career to creating zero-waste designs that challenge the fast fashion industry throw-away trends. By blending timeless aesthetics with durability, Gabriella ensures that each piece from GABE stands the test of time, both in style and quality. Her collections are not just clothing but statements of conscious living, reflecting her unwavering commitment to the planet.

4

Erosion - Stoneware clay

A set of five stoneware thrown centre piece bowls, with the inspiration for texture and surface taken from the Mediterranean landscape. The first is complete in form, while each of the following bowls shows the next stage of erosion. Apart from being a display of contemporary functional pieces, the concept questions the erosion of seascapes, traditions, creative skills; just as the coastline is eroded and replaced by a different sea or landscape, what becomes of traditions when they too are worn away and replaced with the new? This offers no answers, just poses the question.

Sue Mifsud

Sue Mifsud is a ceramics designer and maker, with a BA Hons degree in Ceramics, Design from Glasgow School of Art. She has been working with clay since 1993 and currently works full time from her home studio in Rabat. Her days consist mainly of designing and producing wheel thrown bespoke functional ware for prominent restaurants, chefs, and for private clients, and also makes a range of off the shelf creations. She is influenced heavily by the landscape of the Maltese archipelago, the people she meets, and life in general.