Visual Arts

In the foyer of the Media Hall, an unusual and interesting exhibition has been recently premiered, in the presence of numerous personalities of Romanian architecture, among others Romeo Belea, the architect of the new NTB, Prof. Dr. Radu Tănăsoiu, Prof. Dr. Emil Barbu Popescu. The exhibition comprises over 80 de plates with architecture plans, photographs and outlines carried out by one of the most significant personalities of Romanian architecture, Horia Maicu (1905-1975). Most of them illustrate the activity pursued in Constanţa. After architecture studies in Italy, graduate of the Civil Engineering School in Rome, class 1931, he returns to his home town, Constanţa, where, in the period 1931-1940, he practically changed the appearance of the city, pursuing a rich activity as a qualified architect, being known under the name of Harry Goldstein. Its outcome takes the form of more than one hundred buildings in Constanţa, Eforie, Mamaia... During wartime, he performs his professional activity in Bucharest, and in 1947 he changes his name into Horia Maicu, with which he will achieve nationwide acknowledgement. From his position of chief architect of the Capital, surrounded by a group of remarkable architects, he drafted between 1957 and 1970 the plans and coordinated a series of important projects. Among them, we quote the Bucharest National Theatre (inaugurated in 1973), Sala Palatului (the Palace Hall), the Mausoleum (Monument of the Heroes) from the Carol Park, Casa Scânteii (the House of the Free Press). The design and construction of the Bucharest National Theatre have been performed between 1963 and 1969, and the inauguration took place on December 20, 1973. The project was signed by the architects Horia Maicu, Romeo Belea, Nicolae Cucu, and the supporting structure by engineer Alexandru Cişmigiu. The design team also comprised the architects Antonio Teodorov, Ruxandra Verona. In 1970, at the end of his career, he becomes Doctor of Architecture with the thesis The Bases of Architectural Composition.   The exhibition in the lounge of the Media Hall of the Bucharest National Theatre has come to life thanks to a group of architecture students of the Spiru Haret University, coordinated by lecturer dr. arch. Doina Teodorescu, comprising the fruit of an extensive research activity performed by them in the archives of Constanta, as well as plates from the Horia Maicu personal archive, from the collection of Mr. Daniel Balint. He discovered and saved them from a dumpster on Batiştei street in Bucharest, where the illustrious architect and professor of the "Ion Mincu" Faculty of Architecture has spent the second part of his life. The precious exhibition "Horia Maicu - Architect of the 20th Century" awaits you at the Bucharest National Theatre, where you can find out many other captivating pieces of information until December 13, 2015.

This is a Contemporanii event at the National Theater of Bucharest, in the foyer of the Media Hall, Intercontinental wing, March 10 – April 10, 2015. We have the great pleasure to announce the opening of the painting exhibition “Popas la Conacul Otetelișanu” (Stopover at Otetelișanu Manor), Tuesday, March 10, 07:00 p.m. at the National Theater Ion Luca Caragiale Bucharest, in the foyer of the Media Hall - Intercontinental wing, University Square, Nicolae Bălcescu Boulevard, 2. The exhibition gathers more than 60 paintings of plastic and visual art, signed by four Romanian painters: Sorin Iosub, Marcel Lupșe, Christian Paraschiv and Mihai Sârbulescu, and by the multimedia artist Maria Grigorescu and illustrator Mihail Alexandrescu. Writer and essayist Costion Nicolescu, also signs the editorial content of the exhibition’s catalogue. The paintings, the catalogue and the documentary show a part of the six painters’ experience during the creation camp “Popas la Conacul Otetelișanu” (Stopover at Otetelișanu Manor), held in October 2014 in the Contemporanii Project, with the support of the “Domeniul Otetelișanu” Company, Opening the event: writer Costion Nicolescu and exhibition curator Maria Pașc. You can visit the exhibition from March 10 to April 10, during the NTB’s schedule. You can enter through the entrance from Studio Hall, next to the ticket booth, or through the entrance to Media and Painting Hall. Contemporanii Team contact@contemporanii.org www.contemporanii.org Contemporanii is a project that has been set up by the Făuritori Association. Their purpose is to value the actual Romanian culture by supporting the creation act, seen as a whole with the creator. Contemporanii project wants to organize and support artistic and socio-cultural activities in order to educate the audience’s aesthetic sensibility. Translated by Podaru Gina MTTLC, University of Bucharest

Along with the arrival of spring, the foyer of the Black Box Hall of The National Theatre of Bucharest acquires a new look, having been enriched with a selection of paintings, sculptures and drawings by Ion Alin Gheorghiu and a series of twenty-four “Angels”, graphics signed by Vladimir Șetran. The Foyers of The I.L. Caragiale National Theatre – Hosting Famous Romanian Artists Before entering the auditoria, the audience that comes to the National Theatre has the privilege of seeing in the connected foyers, as in an art gallery, an impressive selection of works pertaining to famous Romanian artists. An inspired way of giving the new space of the National Theatre a little more atmosphere, with works of art that naturally find room in a place designed to shelter under its new roof everything that is the best in the national culture area. In the foyers there can also be seen sculptures by Ion Irimescu, Marcel Guguianu, Paul Vasilescu, Ioana Kassargian, Ion Nicodim, Ariana Nicodim and Ovidiu Maitec, Horia Flămând. In the red foyer of the Painting Hall: works by painters such as Viorel Mărginean, Alexandru Mărginean and Olga Morărescu-Mărginean, the well-known family of artists whose paintings clearly mark the contemporary history of Romanian fine arts. In the rotunda foyer of the Small Hall: three large paintings by Emil Ciocoiu:“Earth”, “Fountain”, “Universum”.   Translated by Minodora Tunaru MTTLC, University of Bucharest

The National Theatre I.L.Caragiale has the pleasure to invite you to discover Adina Nanu’s spectacular collection of costumes and hats in the lobby of the Atelier Hall for two weeks (between 8th – 22nd of February). Adina Nanu is a critic and art historian, the author of the only book about Romania’s costumes history. The exhibition opens on the occasion of the conference held by Adina Nanu at the Atelier Hall from 11:00 a.m. on February 8th. Adina Nanu’s collection comprises some hundreds of costumes which belonged to her family or donor friends, ranging from casual dresses to evening ones, from hats, men’s costumes, accesories, decorative objects or furniture articles from ladies’ boudoir from La Belle Epoque, from the inter-war period to present costumes. Both the conference and the exhibition are a plea for style and beauty and promote the aesthetic refinement, the fashion and ellegance of times gone by. Stressing the importance of hats in ladies’ apparel, Adina Nanu will show that a hat isn’t a simple accesory, but it is also a definite indicator for the bearer’s social, psychological and cultural profile. The conference and the exhibition addresses not only those interested in the costume  history, but also art directors, fashion designers and all art lovers. We hope that after attending the conference and the exhibition the NTB audience will cry out:”Chapeau – bas!” „The collection formed itself as a consequence of my interest and respect for the object made with talent and skillfulness which I found in my house and kept them, I didn’t throw them away, as young people do nowadays. At first I played together with my parents, then with my children, using grandparents’ hats and clothes, then I used them as didactic material for the Arts History and Costume Art classes that I held. Relatives and friends also found in their wardrobes hats and dresses which were out of fashion, tailcoats and tuxedos which were useless, but they were filling the space and they gave them to us. I only bought the manikins and a few disparate pieces, links which were missing in the chain of some demonstrations. Even nowadays, my friends’ friends come to complete the exhibition with precious memories. I only like studying each hat or collarette to discover its origin, style and fashion it belonged to and to find its place in the exhibition so as to match the general geometry of the room, which has to recompose the atmosphere and perfume of every age. Among other things, I placed perfume bottles here and there, ranging from XIX th century pachouli to Coco Chanel’s Chanel no.5 and following. Due to these continuous changes, none of the fifteen exhibitions I have organized so far was similar to the others, starting with the first one from the Collection Museum in 1997, to the following ones from the National Arts Museum, History Museum, from Cotroceni Palace, Peles or the Costumes Museum in Venice”.   Translation made by Niculae Cristine MTTLC, University of Bucharest

The National Heritage Institute, together with the Ministry of Culture and in partnership with the „I. L. Caragiale" National Theatre Bucharest and the County Council for the Promotion and Preservation of the Traditional Culture Iaşi organizes the second edition of the national exhibition The Icon – Faith and Tradition. The exhibition will be opened in Bucharest between 17th December 2014 and 11th January 2015, at the „I. L. Caragiale" National Theatre Bucharest, Nicolae Bălcescu Boulevard, no. 2, the Foaier Gallery at the Small Hall (the access is also made from the Tudor Arghezi Street). Between 28th January and 10th February 2015 the exhibition will be relocated to Iaşi. The exhibition proposes a selection from the most beautiful icons on glass and wood, which were created by contemporary craftsmen and popular creators from Romania. The icon, which is a cult object of divine inspiration, reveals an ample vision which reunites the past and the future in a continual present. The current project is part of the cultural programme of the Revival of the Traditional Handicrafts and aims to build a communication space between creators, specialists and the public, but also wants to find a way to promote the craftsmen who paint icons who are keepers of this ancient artistic handicraft. The varnishing took place on Wednesday, 17th December, 14.00h; the exhibition will be open daily between 11.00-18.20, except from Monday. The entry is free.   Translated by Manuela Cristina Chira MTTLC, University of Bucharest

The ‘Ion Luca Caragiale’ National Theatre from Bucharest invites you to the 12th exhibition signed by Iulian Ignat, which will take place in the foyer of the Studio Hall as part of the program NTB Paratheatre – Visual Arts. The ‘FE’ (Mystery and feminine aura) exhibition opening will be on Thursday, November 27th at 6 PM in the downstairs foyer of the Studio Hall and it can be visited until December 14th, 2014, from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 AM and 6 PM. ‘From the wildest tumult of the streets during the Venice Carnival to the monastic life of Oașa, from the snapshots of rural life to Dan Puric or Răzvan Mazilu’s performances, all the photos from my previous exhibitions were taken based on the idea of ‘keeping a low profile and capturing ongoing moments’! I have been working for three years to this new one and I felt the need to change something. To be face to face with the person I’m taking photos of, to seek something together, to pass through the surface of things, be less conventional and try to capture on the film a little bit of the aura of the female mystery’, said Iulian. The portrayed models come from the art world – theatre, music, dance, fashion. ‘FE’ is one of those rare exhibitions which are set up only through traditional means: films, developing, unique prints, all brought out by a darkroom enthusiast, Alex Voicu. About Iulian Ignat         He was born in July, 1972 in Bucharest and since 1994 he’s been working closely with different newspapers, magazines and radio stations; also, since 1998 he’s been the editor and the photographer of Formula As magazine. He is one of the five authors of the photography album Răzvan Mazilu – Mirrors. The musical albums that are filled with his photos include titles such as Grigore Leșe și aromânii fârșeroți and Trei Parale Bazar II. Between 2000 and 2002, Iulian set up 11 personal photography exhibitions: Sârba lui Nătălița, 2000, Grande Maguy Club, Bucharest; Fotografii cu copii, 2004, Hilton Hotel; Dan Puric – Fără vorbe, 2004, French Institute, Bucharest; Sinaia – Ieri și alaltăieri, 2006, Casino Sinaia and Prometheus Club; Gura Râului, 2007, Gura Râului, Sibiu; Jazz & White, 2008, Sibiu Jazz Festival; Răzvan Mazilu – Urban Kiss, 2009, Cărturești, Bucharest and Timișoara; Buena Vista și alte tarafuri, 2010, Sibiu, Thalia Hall; Venezia, pasaje, năluci, ocheade, 2011, Romanian Cultural Institute/ Romexpo, TNT/ Novotel Hotel; Papii, 2011, La Copac Club, Bucharest; În pădure, la Cetate, 2012, Culture Port Cetate. In 2011 he took part in the group exhibitions Roșia Montană, Clubul Țăranului and Architects Union Headquarters, Bucharest; Oașa, alongside Father Pantelimon at Franz Binder Museum, Sibiu and in January, 2012, at the Museum of the Romanian Peasant; Lungul drum, Romanian Athenaeum and TIFF, 2012. Dan Puric: ‘I see Iulian Ignat as being an artistic alter ego of mine. He has photographed my thoughts, my vulnerabilities, thas passage, that frail bridge between certainty and uncertainty. Iulian Ignat has surprised me in that ineffable field of poetry. The refinement and subtlety of his photography make me see some sides of myself unknown to me until today. His portraits give me the feeling that I am not alone; that I am being double sided by another artist, by Iulian himself. I realize that we share a stylistic co-existence. He made me feel that a wave of tenderness approaches me from behind like a spring wind…’ Răzvan Mazilu: ‘Dance is one the most ephemeral arts. It’s very difficult to capture its essence and mystery on film, but Iulian’s photography managed to stop some dance moments, energy, and pure emotion and I thank him for that’.   Translated by: Georgiana Ursu MTTLC, UNiversity of Bucharest

At the Media Hall Foyer you can visit the photography exhibition about the reconstruction of the NTB builduing.

Doina Levintza, whose career spans so harmoniously over the vast grounds of fashion, theatre and television scenography, evokes through the mere utterance of her name, the creative force behind a restless artist in search for unexpected solutions to any kind of space and character. With an ever fascinating power of work, striving for expressivity and beauty, Doina Levintza is one of those rare artists whose talent is based on culture and knowledge. She signed the scenography for more than 100 shows produced in Romania and abroad, she created sets and costumes for 220 TV shows, and since 1984 she has organized 65 fashion shows. Taking into account the above mentioned details, the difficulty in choosing the content for the exhibition becomes conspicuous. Nevertheless, its structure took shape when we decided to bring under the cymae’ spotlight all those great directors Doina Levintza worked with in her career. Ten directors, fifty costumes and many photos and décor sketches will become the subject of the exhibition – happening which will be hosted by the foyer of the Little Hall in I. L. Caragiale National Theatre in Bucharest, starting at 24th October till 30th November 2014. The title of the exhibition – Doina Levintza: The Theatre Costume – From Sketch to Miracle, evokes the remarkable journey made under the auspices of imagination, from idea to sketch, so it could materialize in the end in the shape of a fabulous new theatre costume. In Doina Levintza’s case, this is always magical. This miracle which has enveiled in magic the theatre’s stages for years, is now celebrated through the exhibition dedicated to it.   Opening: Between 26th and 30th October: 10-16 and 18-22 Between 31st October and 15th November: 17-22   Translated by: Anca Romete MTTLC, University of Bucharest

Engraving and China ink drawings exhibition (1930-2008) and the release of the book "The universe of a great artist: Marcel Chirnoagă" by Monica Cerchez-Chirnoagă, which has recently appeared at the Semne Publishing House. The book contains the artist's and his wife's Monica memories, along with some other recollections taken from contemporaries, a part of his own correspondence, antiquarian photographs and some of the Marcel Chirnoagă's writings on artistry, politics and society. Forty nine works in different engraving technics (aquaforte, aquatinta, solder-engraving, photolithography) and China ink drawings which were created by the artist in diferent periods of his career are displayed in the lounge of the Media Room (The TNB's Art Gallery). Two big China ink drawings are displayed in the Sudio Room's lounge. This event is part of the TNB-Parateatral - Visual Arts. The lasting of the exhibition: February-May 2014. It can be visited daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.The access to the exhibition is made through Batiştei Street. An exhibition sponsored by "Regata Imobiliare".   Translated by: Băluţ Anca-Elena MTTLC, The University of Bucharest  

The National Center for Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture organizes between December 5th and December 19th 2013, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the XII edition of the International Exhibition of Naive Art, at the National Theatre "I. L. Caragiale" Foyer - Small Hall. The exhibition will travel to Iasi from January 20th to February 3rd 2014, at the Palas Mall - Atrium Hall. IENA is the country's largest selection of naive painting and sculpture, with an international participation, which gathers every two years the most representative naive artists from Romania and abroad. NCPPTC project mainly aims to promote naive art in Romania and around the world. The works exhibited at IENA depict the present times and the world of yesterday, ancient landmarks with new meanings, recollections, idealized memories and everyday life stories. The paintings of the most celebrated naive artists from Argentina, Poland, Spain, Serbia, Ukraine, Hungary and Romania will be present on the picture rails. The most valuable works will be awarded by a jury. IENA will be opened : ■ at Bucharest - Thursday, December 5th, at 14.00 at the National Theatre "I. L. Caragiale " (Foyer - Small Hall) Nicolae Bălcescu Avenue no. 2, Bucharest (access from Tudor Arghezi street as well); ■ at Iasi - Tuesday, January 21st, 2014, at 14.00 at the Palas Mall - Atrium Hall. By selecting these locations, we enable a wide audience to meet with the contemporary naive art and the cultural projects of NCPPTC and partners' institutions: ■ National Theatre "I. L. Caragiale" ■ The Iasi County Center for Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture   Translated by: Andreiu Liliana MTTLC, The University of Bucharest