I WILL FOLLOW THE SHIP

I WILL FOLLOW THE SHIP explores ideas of human existence and survival at the point of convergence between history and future, physical experience and digital input. It overlaps elements related to contemporary drawing, cultural heritage and digital technology. It originates from Attard’s latest explorations into AI and drawing technology, fused with his interest for historical images of ex-voto ship graffiti, vernacular iconographies which speak of ancient local tales of faith and salvation across the Mediterranean. Located on the facades of several wayside chapels on the islands, these ephemeral etchings in stone were possibly crafted by seafarers because of the religious significance and political immunity these buildings offered.

The meanings and values of these anonymous ship etchings reverberate in our present times, where computer technology and the internet have propelled mass artistic emancipation and overturned traditional local centers of power. This is the point of departure for the Malta Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2024, conceived to catalyse the attention of the spectator via technological devices which allow for digital interaction and collective speculative thinking about the future. In fact, the ship graffiti are unique to Malta, yet resonate with many cultures whose relationship with the sea has been - and still is - crucial. At a time of climate change, rising sea levels, and questions of people’s place in a hyper technological world, these humble marks of hope, root metaphors deeply embedded in human consciousness, drift in the middle of the pavilion to reveal what hides behind screens and beliefs.

With I WILL FOLLOW THE SHIP, the Malta Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2024 presents a platform to discuss notions of authorship and image-making in art, all while critically rethinking forms of agency and cohabitation to navigate the uncharted waters of the information society.