Unblinking: Malta’s Hidden World Revealed
Unveiling the Invisible: A Maltese Artist’s Journey
Imagine walking down Republic Street in Valletta, the sun casting a warm glow on the iconic auberges. Now, imagine seeing beyond that familiar scene, into a world invisible to the naked eye. This is the realm that Maltese artist, Alexia Cassar, explores through her unique art form, thermography.
Capturing Heat, Revealing Stories
Thermography, or thermal imaging, is a technique that detects infrared radiation, making it possible to see heat signatures. For Alexia, it’s more than just a scientific tool; it’s a way to tell stories hidden beneath the surface. “I’m interested in the unseen,” she explains, “the emotions, the energy, the history trapped within a space or an object.”
Her latest series, ‘Unblinking’, is a testament to this. It features thermographic portraits of Maltese locals, each one a snapshot of their unique energy field. “I wanted to capture the essence of Malta’s people,” Alexia says, “not just their physical appearance, but their spirit, their warmth.”
From Valletta’s Streets to Marsaxlokk’s Market
Alexia’s work takes her across the islands, from the bustling streets of Valletta to the vibrant market of Marsaxlokk. She’s captured the heat signature of a fishmonger haggling with a customer, the energy of a group of friends laughing outside a Paceville bar, and even the residual heat of a long-abandoned room in an old Mdina palace.
Each image is a story, a moment in time frozen in infrared. “It’s like I’m giving a voice to the silent, the unseen,” Alexia says. “It’s not just about the science; it’s about the art, the emotion, the connection.”
Alexia’s work is not just about capturing the present; it’s also about preserving the past. She’s been working with heritage organizations to document historical sites using thermography. “It’s a way of preserving our history,” she explains, “of capturing the energy of these places before it fades away.”
Unblinking: The Exhibition
Alexia’s work will be on display at the Muża in Valletta from October 15th. The exhibition, titled ‘Unblinking’, will feature a collection of her thermographic portraits, along with a series of infrared landscapes capturing the energy of Malta’s unique terrain.
“I want people to see beyond the visible,” Alexia says, “to understand that there’s a whole world out there, invisible to our eyes, but no less real, no less beautiful.”
