‘A New Ritual’: Cremation-Inspired URNA To Represent Malta At Upcoming London Biennale
URNA has officially been announced as the project selected to represent Malta at the upcoming London Design Biennale 2025.
During a press conference which occurred yesterday, members from the team, Arts Minister Owen Bonnici and the Arts Council were present to officially announce the project.
The theme of the URNA project centres around the topical subject of cremation, imagining a new ritual that incorporates the local landscape and innovative technologies, including the use of reconstituted limestone.
The team behind the URNA project, consisting of artists, designers, curators, architects, and art directors, includes Andrew Borg Wirth, Anthony Bonnici, Matthew Attard Navarro, Tanil Raif, Anne Immelé, Stephanie Sant, and Thomas Mifsud.
Arts Council Malta is responsible for Malta’s participation in the London Design Biennale in 2025. The Biennale, held at Somerset House, is an international exhibition highlighting design innovation and creativity, featuring the participation of various countries from around the world.
Malta’s pavilion will be exhibited at Somerset House from 5th June to 29th June, 2025.
During the press conference, Minister Bonnici stated that URNA is an environmentally sustainable project that showcases one of the country’s most precious resources: limestone.
He noted that this project adapts to different cultures, landscapes, and materials, allowing for the reimagining of completely different rituals in various places, all built on the same foundation.
On his part, the Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, Albert Marshall, emphasised that art can be a powerful means of raising awareness about social issues.
Borg Wirth, an architect and member of the URNA team, explained that URNA proposes a monumental design narrative, inviting the audience to rethink the rituals surrounding the disposition of the body.
It was further explained that the team, supported by the main sponsor Halmann Vella, is using reconstituted stone made from Maltese limestone dust for the project. This approach combines contemporary technological advancements with research into limestone landscapes and burial sites across the Mediterranean.
Kevin Rapinett, CEO of the Halmann Vella Group, remarked, “On the 70th anniversary of the Halmann Vella Group, we are proud to support the team at the London Design Biennale.”
“Our involvement goes beyond supporting the team, as this initiative allows us to promote creativity, foster collaboration, and demonstrates our commitment to sustainability by providing our own reconstituted stone for the installation.”
Will you be attending the London Biennale to see this project in action?
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