A giant computer mouse, a virtual sculpture, and an interactive art piece are coming to Malta. Celebrating Valletta as European Capital of Culture, the Valletta 2018 Foundation and Science in the City – European Researchers’ Night have come together to create 3 spectacular installations during Science in the City on the 28th September, between 6pm-12am at the Triton Fountain in Valletta. This collaboration between the University of Malta, Valletta 2018 and University of Applied Arts, Vienna is what the festival is all about, creating relationships across disciplines so our audience can engage with both science and the arts, in a way that may not always be possible.

Some of the major art works this year  consists of three works of art by art students or alumni from The University of Applied Arts in Vienna who have been inspired by scientists from the University of Malta.

Pushing the Mouse by Michael Bachhofer, Stefan Resch is built on the premise that most of us in modern society are pushing mice for a living. The purpose of this project is to change the way we view our daily interaction with a computer mouse, the amount of work involved and the role it plays in our lives. Come push this massive mouse through tangible and virtual obstacles — at the Trion Fountain. University of Malta researchers involved: Marthese Borg (Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences).

Reframing Carbon An installation by Daniela Brill and Guadalupe Aldrete who follow human history. This showcase of three relevant periods: the past, the present and the future, work to interconnect the sources of research on this journey of carbon from an archaeological, morphological and ecological perspective. You will be able to trigger this journey by using the weight of your body to activate this art piece — at the Triton Fountain. University of Malta researchers involved: Dr Ing. John Betts, Dr Catriona Brogan and Rowan McLaughlin (Department of Classics and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts).

Fortoni by Matthew Attard & Matthew Galea is an augmented reality sculpture, anyone can access through their personal devices. This project blends data generated through scientific research together with cutting edge technology in computer sciences, for an innovative take on the concept of what a contemporary public monument should look like. The artistic concept itself also deals with the effects of human perception on the way we see and understand our daily surroundings — at the Triton Fountain. University of Malta researchers involved: Dr Vanessa Camilleri (Faculty of ICT) and Professor Ian Thornton (Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences).

The event is part of the Valletta 2018 Cultural Programme.