The pandemic did not ‘undo’ our exhibition

As 35 University of Malta students prepared to showcase their dissertation projects in an exhibition at Junior College, restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 turned their plans upside down overnight. Yet the exhibition, titled Ctrl Z, is still taking place, having moved to where people are – online.

Third year students reading for a BFA in Digital Arts have created and designed this exhibition themselves. The name Ctrl Z refers to the ‘undo’ keyboard shortcut. Although not all the students are working with digital media, this keystroke is used by all. It is a nod to all the attempts and failures the students face as creatives, as well as a nod of acknowledgment to the turbulent reality of the artistic process.

This exhibition explores a multitude of artistic media, such as illustration, 3D animation, 2D animation, graphic design, videography, photography, VR (virtual reality), and AR (augmented reality) integration. Through these techniques, the students are investigating a diverse range of themes and concepts, including gender roles and relationships, the human senses, social issues, and performance.

Moving the exhibition online demanded a new approach to hosting it. After countless discussions between the students and lecturers, they chose to make it the Media and Knowledge Sciences Faculty’s first online exhibition. Students therefore had to adapt their projects to suit an online platform. 

Curating this exhibition demanded cooperation and coordination between the entire class and all lecturers involved. Each student volunteered for a particular role in communications, marketing, sponsorship, illustration, graphic design, photography and videography, and motion graphics. 

Everyone will be able to access the official exhibition website and experience each artist’s work through a dedicated page. Your can also follow BFA Ctrl Z on Facebook and Instagram.