Depicting chance | Charles ‘ic-City’ Gatt

What does it take to be a successful jazz musician?

A jazz musician should possess all the skills, technique and knowledge of music theory required for music making. Unlike the requirements for a member of an orchestra, having your own particular sound on your instrument would be a plus. One has to possess a certain way of phrasing and an ability to improvise over a melodic or chord structure in a rhythmic way (referred to as 'swing' in a jazz context). I think that would be the simple way of putting it. Obviously it all depends on one's taste to create new sounds and ideas.

How has the jazz festival evolved over the years?

By catering for the purists as well as newcomers alike, the jazz festival has always managed to expand the audience while keeping in touch with what was happening on the international scene. For three years, the festival suffered through bad programming but now it has come back to its original vision, which I obviously agree with.

Does your painting and your music give you the same feeling... once you're embroiled in the act of creation, as it were?

When playing in a jazz group you are part of an ensemble, while painting is a solo activity. In a group you depend on the other musicians to achieve certain results. When it is really happening it is a great feeling to share the affinity with others at the spur of the moment. With painting, one has to create as if one is having a conversation with oneself. You have more time to experiment and make changes in the process without having to depend on others.

What can we expect from this exhibition?

As I have said with jazz you have a structure - you improvise, compose on that structure. The paintings in this exhibition are meant to be seen as variations on a theme. The theme is one geometrical structure that provides a rhythmic cushion for all these works, much like 'metre' provides support for music and poetry. As these paintings proceed, there is a shift of emphasis from the formal rigour of geometry to a freer, more adventurous, polyrhythmic ritual. This leads to 'chance' and the subsequent possibilities and surprises this can offer. The organised and the 'primitive' intersect, fracture, contaminate and collapse into each other. The title of this exhibition ('What is it doing to me?') is what we ask ourselves when listening to music. There are many instances - especially in jazz - when we feel that the music doesn't touch us. This can also happen here. However, I hope that these improvisations can elicit some movement from the senses, the mind and the emotions making them dance in a silent way.

Finally, is there any piece of advice you'd give to aspiring artists...be they fledgling painters, musicians, or whatever?

Prepare yourself as best you can. Work from your intuition and analyse with your intellect.

The exhibition will be running until May 7. Opening hours are between 10:00 to 12:00 and 15:30 to 18:00 (Monday to Friday) 09:30 to 12:00 (Saturday). Other times are available by appointment. Contact: 79 806380, [email protected].