Valletta Contemporary is today hosting ‘opus they’, a one-evening pop-up exhibition and public discussion featuring the work of Raphael Vella, Chris Briffa and Michael Quinton, three distinguished practitioners from the fields of visual art, architecture and sound design, for an exploration of post-anthropocentric creative research.
opus they is a critical, transdisciplinary platform dedicated to confronting the interconnected global crises – ecological, geopolitical, and technological – shaping contemporary life. By challenging anthropocentric frameworks and proposing new relational modes of understanding, the project aims to reimagine agency, matter and subjectivity within a shared and evolving world.
During the event, visitors will encounter artistic prototypes, research materials and situated reflections emerging from the collaboration between the three contributors. Through arts-based inquiry, opus they works to dissolve artificial boundaries between humans, ecology and technology − opening space for imaginative, ethical and sustainable forms of collective thinking.
Contributing to dialogue
opus they positions itself at the intersection of artistic research and critical theory, engaging deeply with questions of planetary precarity, material entanglement, and the futures of design, sound, and visual culture. The platform considers how creative practice can contribute meaningfully to democratic dialogue and transformative action at a time of accelerated change.
As a long-term initiative, opus they seeks to cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration through speculative methods, experimental making and discursive exchange.
The artists
Opus They is brought to life by a collective of talented artists, designers and researchers, each bringing their unique expertise to the project:
Chris Briffa: An architect and designer whose work fuses historical sensitivity with contemporary innovation. Based in Malta, he runs a studio focused on materiality, proportion, and thoughtful spatial interventions, and teaches at the University of Malta, nurturing the next generation of designers.
Michael Quinton: A sound designer and researcher exploring acoustic ecologies, sonic architectures and non-human modes of listening. His practice spans immersive installations, film, and theatre, combining scientific data, psychoacoustics, and spatial sound to create unique auditory experiences.
Raphael Vella: An artist, curator and researcher engaged in contemporary art, cultural theory, and socially engaged practice. He has participated in multiple biennales, curated international projects and published extensively, blending creative practice with critical research and educational work.
The project is managed by Marcon Borg Caruana, with graphic design by 2point3.
This evening’s discussion starts at 5.30pm, with the exhibition on display from 7 to 8pm. Entrance is free. For more information, visit the project’s website https://opusthey.com and Facebook and and and Instagram pages. Here is also a link to the event on Facebook.