I sit in an art exhibition in Valletta, keeping an eye on
the paintings and the visitors. It
suddenly strikes me that art, like beauty, is very much in the eye of the beholder. But, what do I know, being from a science
background, I am in foreign territory here in more ways than one. Valletta, the capital of Malta is
beautiful. With her elegantly chipped
sandstone walls and narrow steep streets, surrounded by the blue Mediterranean
she is a unique find. The streets are
laid out like New York in a grid fashion but with wonderful buildings rich in
history at every turn.
The best way to visit her is by sea. The huge walls of Valletta rise above you as you get closer and its fortifications intimidate exactly as intended around half a century ago.
The best way to visit her is by sea. The huge walls of Valletta rise above you as you get closer and its fortifications intimidate exactly as intended around half a century ago.
Right in the centre of Valletta lies St George’s square, which I am
overlooking at present. Surrounded by
the ancient buildings of the Knights of St John there are water fountains laid
out in the middle. It’s lovely to sit
eating an ice cream while children frolic in the water jets.
I watched a four year old, at first, play cautiously with her
hand in the shooting water. Then
growing in confidence she carefully lowered her hair in to the spraying
jets. She put her face
directly into the jets of water and giggled at the explosive force hitting her
eyes and mouth. A growing audience
watched as she explored further. After
lying on top of the many jets, she tried sitting on them. By now completely soaked and bare foot she
wandered through the many jets with arms and legs outstretched spinning in ecstasy. Finally, she sprawled on top of as many jets
as she could cover on the flat of her back and while moving her arms and legs,
like a figure making snow angels, she controlled the tall jets blocking and
releasing them in turn. Her delight was
ours, her genuine wholehearted absorption, a reminder. Of how all of us should approach life and art, arms
outstretched and spirit unleashed. Only
then can our hearts be touched and art do its magic – a true ladder for the
soul.