Only

Abstract

‘Only’ is a work which formed part of a START project entitled Artifecture (Malta Today newspaper, 2007). Through publishing digitally altered, full-page images of Maltese landmarks for a number of consecutive Sunday issues without any textual reference or plausible explanation, contributing artists played with and even at times sabotaged communal perception of locality. Norbert Attard’s contribution plays on the national sentiment of the time towards the use of a prime public area, that of Pjazza San Ġorġ in Valletta, a square which faces the Presidential Palace which also accommodates the House of Parliament. This piazza, then wrongfully utilised as a public parking area, was also according to some, unjustly made available as an exclusive, reserved parking space for Members of Parliament during parliamentary sittings, barring private vehicles. Part of the piazza was even signposted Only for Members of Parliament.