Rochelle Gatt (Malta)

WHERE'S THE LA LA IN A WORLD OF BLA BLA?

Date: 25th July | Time: 4:15pm | Location: MICAS, Floriana | Duration: 35mins

This event will occur at MICAS (Museum entry fee needs to be paid upon admission, which also entitles you to see the existing exhibition at the venue. More info: https://micas.art/visit-us/).

Synopsis:

This site-specific, interdisciplinary performance unfolds through movement, sound, and object theatre. Set within MICAS, formerly an ospizio for the vulnerable, the site itself holds layers of care and the residue of time. This is a moment carved out to explore what we consume, discard, and silently carry — not only in material form, but within our bodies, memories, and the habitats that mirror our inner selves. The performance digs into what is overlooked or cast aside, inviting forgotten objects and untold traces to move, echo, and quietly reclaim their place. What is the biggest melody? Is it the hopeful agendas urging us toward greener consumption, or the overwhelming sound carved by the weight of unwanted itself?

Rochelle Gatt - Director, Creator, Performer & Concept

Rochelle studied Radiography at the University of Malta before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Dance at UOM (2012). In 2019, she completed a master’s in physical Theatre at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in Switzerland. Her artistic focus centers on interdisciplinary contexts, with research interests in therapeutic arts and play. She directed the production Granny for the 2024 edition of Trikki Trakki, collaborating with Stella Maris and Teatru Malta to create a puppet from kitchen utensils and objects. In 2024, she also worked as a boarding assistant and activity leader with students aged 6 to 13 at John F. Kennedy International School in Switzerland. Over the past two years, she has become a BISO conscious movement facilitator (Ireland, Belgium) and an EXIT (Expressive Art in Transition) leader. Her current freelance projects span performance, pedagogy, direction, choreography, and therapeutic arts. Rochelle also teaches Performing Arts at MCAST and is passionate about exploring play and shifting landscapes somewhat inspired from her ongoing experience with Fighting Monkey.

Niels Plotard - Soundscapes

Niels relates to atypical processes, ones which move away from habitual patterns of engaging and being-in-the-world. His interest lies in the weaving and intertwining of practices and perspectives.He is a transdisciplinary artist, dancer and technician, intrigued by the exploration of movement within physical, visual and sonic worlds. He is curious about the invisible, the out-of-sight, the overlooked and the forgotten. He is driven by a search for alternative ways of creating meaningful connections with listeners. Curious about moving, and being moved. Collaboration is central to his practice. He looks to be in the perimeter of other people, collaborators and teachers who value honesty, transparency, inclusivity, sensitivity, awareness, and attention. Niels is in the process of developing his own practice as he grows, engaging with the subjects that matter to his immediate context and surroundings — feeding and giving back into the process of research, creation and community.

Edmilson Zammit - Puppetry and Co-creation

Edmilson is a performing arts student at MCAST, approaching his final year of a Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts. His creative journey embraces a holistic and exploratory approach, weaving together dance, ritualistic clowning philosophy, light design, and therapeutic movement practices. In 2023, Edmilson took part in a research project exploring the shamanistic clown under the guidance of Francesca Zannier (Ibiza), and therapeutic movement under the direction of Rachel Calleja (Malta). In 2024, he also assisted in the puppetry vision for Trikki Trakki, one of Malta’s leading children’s festivals.An emerging artist already embedded in numerous community arts contexts on the island, Edmilson has also contributed to Gamboli—Teatru Malta’s main festival for the elderly—as well as worked closely with the inclusive arts NGO Opening Doors, amongst many others.

Credits: Director, Creator, Performer & Concept: Rochelle Gatt | Sound: Niels Plotard | Puppetry and Co-creation: Edmilson Zammit

Supported by: MICAS - Malta International Contemporary Art Space

Dance Festival Malta is sponsored by: APS Bank, Visit Malta, GSD Marketing Ltd. & Deloitte.