Visual Arts

The largest painting exhibition to date, taking place simultaneously in all the designated areas of The Small Hall, The Black Box and the new Studio Hall (former Operetta), opens on Thursday, the 26th of September 2013, under the name: "Emil Ciocoiu at NTB - Painting retrospective". In the upcoming 2013-2014 season of the evolving I. L. Caragiale National Theatre there could not have been a better suited event to inaugurate its generous exhibition areas and foyers than the Painting retrospective of the well known Romanian and European painter, Emil Ciocoiu. Born in 1948 in Romania, Emil Ciocoiu is one of today's most iconic Romanian painters. Having moved to Germany a long time ago, he made a name for himself by showcasing his work on world-renowned picture rails and in famous collections.* The exhibition organized at The National Theatre is the painter's first retrospective, held to celebrate his 65th birthday. On this occasion over a hundred of Emil Ciocoiu's most representative works, which capture the essence of his artistic ideas, will be brought to Bucharest. The trustee of the exhibition is Marius Tiţa, the author of the only monograph on Emil Ciocoiu written in Romanian. This event, which is part of the NTB Paratheatrical-Visual arts programme is the first of a series of future exhibitions meant to bring back "home" works by other Romanian painters made famous abroad, as a natural step towards integrating these artists in our nation's cultural heritage. As part of the same programme, important works of art in the possession of the National Theatre signed by well known plastic artists such as Ion Sălişteanu, Vladimir Şetran, Ion Stendl, Viorel Mărginean, Alexandru Mărginean, Olga Morărescu-Mărginean and Horia Flămând, have already been showcased in the lobbies of the newly inaugurated halls. The time has come for Emil Ciocouiu's work to take its rightful place alongside the others. The opening ceremony will take place at 6 o'clock in the evening, on Thursday, the 26th of September, in the lobby of The Small Hall (access through the back of the NTB building). The exhibition will remain open until the 25th of November 2013.   About Emil Ciocoiu *Having graduated in 1974 from the Academy of Fine Arts Nicolae Grigorescu in Bucharest(professor Gheorghe Şaru's class), Emil Ciocoiu wins the prestigious Aman scholarship and stands out as one of the most promising young artists. In 1980 he moves to Aachen, Germany. Emil Ciocoiu has built himself a highly prestigious career through his numerous personal showcases and by taking part in group exhibitions and artistic events around the world. His painting, Sharon Quartett, is the reason behind the donation made by the great art collector Peter Ludwig to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Beijing, the capital of China. Emil Ciocoiu has set up two exhibitions in Brussels: the first one right at the NATO headquarters in 2002, followed by another one in 2006 in the Berlaymont, the headquarters of the European Commission. Using his art and personal prestige, he contributed to the national goal of joining the North-Atlantic Alliance and the European Union. In 1996, he held an impressive personal exhibition at the National Museum of Art of Romania, for the first time after leaving the country. In 2008 he arranged three personal exhibitions in the Romanian cities of Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Craiova, followed by two others at the Galateca Gallery in 2010 and 2011, and one at the Palace of the Parliament. For more information visit: www.ciocoiu.eu   Translated by: Scurtu Andrei MTTLC, The University of Bucharest  

Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 19.00, at the Media Hall's Art Gallery, Hashimoto Yashinori, known Japanese businessman, avid photographer and constant promoter of Romanian-Japanese intercultural exchanges, returns to the National Theatre on the occasion of inaugurating the second exhibition of his photographs, all made ​​in Northern Japan and throughout the Akita prefecture, his birthplace. The theme of this new exhibition arouses our interest in Japanese rituals during the winter holidays. Ten sacred festivals in as many cities from Northern Japan will delight us in the series of photographs from January and February 2013. You will find in these recent snapshots winter festivals and rituals dedicated to Japanese deities, a practically unknown world, emanating an exotic charm, caught by the eye of a passionate Japanese photographer and artist, who is in love with Romania for over 30 years. The exhibition Sacred winter festivals from Northern Japan dedicated to deities is organized by the Romanian-Japanese Cultural Association and the "IL Caragiale" National Theatre from Bucharest, within the NTB Paratheatral-Visual Arts program, in collaboration with the Cultural and Economical Association Romania - Japan. The exhibition remains open from May 15 to June 3, 2013, in the Media Hall's foyer, from 14.00 to 18.00. The entrance is made through the Tudor Arghezi Street.   About Hashimoto Yoshinori He was born in 1941 in Akita Prefecture. In May 1960 he is accepted at the Faculty of Arts, the Photography section. As a student he started the group called International workshopand became its president. He was also a member of the Social Workshop. In May 1964 he opens a photo studio in his hometown, Akita, and he becomes a photographer at the printing corporation near Akita. In November 1969 he closes the photo studio in Akita and reopens it in Tokyo, thus becoming an independent photographer.  He works for Asahi Graph, Asahi Journal, Kobunsha, The rural Association for Culture; he also makes slideshows for commercials. In 1977 he accepts the request on behalf of the Romanian Embassy in Japan to take photos during the commemorative visit of Ana Aslan.   In 1978 he is invited by the Romanian Government to visit Romania, where he has a series of interviews. In 1979, starting from the collaboration with the Romanian Embassy in Japan he opens the GH3 Romanian Tourist Office that becomes a collaborating agency of the ONT. In 1985 he starts importing and selling Romanian products. In 1991 he participates at the Romanian Revolution (the end of the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu) and at the development of the Romanian economy by starting here the company HASHY. In 1994 he buys a land in the city of Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and finishes building the offices for his company KANA CO. In 1995 he joins the Romanian-Japan Association. In 2003 he forms the Romanian-Japan Cultural Association in Romania whose main target is promoting the intercultural changes between Romania and Japan. Mr. Hashimoto is grateful for his multiple encounters with Romanian people, staring with Ana Aslan, with the help of which he could come to Romania and whose friendship he appreciates greatly. In time he became fond of these places and started making businesses, investing and earning a lot of money due to his hard working of over 30 years. The exhibition includes photos taken by Mr. Hashimoto Yoshinori in the city of Yurihonjō, in Northern Japan during the 70s but also photos taken between 2008 and 2011, showing the contemporary Japan, nature, people's habits and their work.

The varnishing: Thursday, 1st November 2012, at 20.00 The varnishing can be visited until 30 November 2012. Thursday, 1st November 2012, starting at 20.00, will take place the varnishing of the photography exhibition "The wonderful Jugendstil Universe, architectonic details from the Danubian countries", in the presence of the author, the Austrian Peter Schubert. On this occasion, the National Theatre's new Art Gallery will be inaugurated. The gallery is a connected space with the Media Hall, the NTB's second new hall, which opens for the audience on the same evening, accompanied by the representations held by the National Theatre from Timişoara within the N.T.F. Thanks to a happy coincidence, the author of the theatre play "The Eve of Retirement", presented by the actors from Timişoara, is the renowned Austrian playwright Thomas Bernhard. Thus, the National Theatre will host a true Austrian cultural evening!

Artistic photography exhibition at the new NTB Art Gallery The varnishing can be visited until 30 November 2012. Thursday, 1st November 2012, starting at 20.00, will take place the varnishing of the photography exhibition "The wonderful Jugendstil Universe, architectonic details from the Danubian countries", in the presence of the author, the Austrian Peter Schubert. On this occasion, the National Theatre's new Art Gallery will be inaugurated. The gallery is a connected space with the Media Hall, the NTB's second new hall, which opens for the audience on the same evening, accompanied by the representations held by the National Theatre from Timişoara within the N.T.F. Thanks to a happy coincidence, the author of the theatre play "The Eve of Retirement", presented by the actors from Timişoara, is the renowned Austrian playwright Thomas Bernhard. Thus, the National Theatre will host a true Austrian cultural evening! The exhibition from Bucharest is organised by the Lower Austria Region in cooperation with the Working Community of Danube Regions (ARGE Donaulander), with the help of ICR Vienna and the Austrian Cultural Forum Bucharest. Partner: the National Theatre I.L. Caragiale, Bucharest, within the program NTB Paratheatric - Visual Arts. The Jugendstil current was a real phenomenon: the architectonical styles which preceded it, needed centuries to conquer Europe. On the other hand, the Jugendstil developed in only 25 years and became known under several names on the entire continent. It incorporates traditional, local forms, which at their place, have almost become national symbols - and which can be found abroad as well... The Jugendstil has developed especially in the Danubian countries, from southern Germany to the Republic of Moldavia: we find here examples from the Belgian-French school, the English and Italian floral and playful elements - with their Hungarian version which includes traditional elements of Slavic origin - as well as the ones from the Viennese secessionism, more austere, or from the historic-national architectonical quotes from Romania.  The Jugendstil might be considered nowadays a genuine symbol of a modern and united Europe: a union through local diversity... The 120 photographs from the exhibition, close through their artistic undertaking to the intentions of the Jugendstil current, present elements characteristic to facade decorations. These decorations are the legacies of both renowned architects and artists and unknown master builders. It is exactly this diversity of facades which gives nowadays the charm of many European cities... Peter Schubert's first exhibition dedicated to the Jugendstil current from Romania took place at the Romanian Cultural Institute from Vienna, together with the presentation of a thematic calendar: Romania was at that point one step away from joining the EU. The author proved in this way the belonging of our country to the European family. Other exhibitions followed at the Romanian Cultural Institute from Budapest and, after examples from the Danubian countries, at the Leopold Museum from Vienna, at the head office of Lower Austria's administration from St. Pölten and Pecs. Peter Schubert: born in 1949, photographer, author and curator. He has the education of a historian and he dedicated himself to studying the historical period from around the year 1900. He was offered the title of professor. At present he is the spokesperson, director of the publishing house and the curator of the exhibitions from the Klosterneuburg Abbey from Vienna. His archive dedicated to the Jugendstil architecture adds in more than 13.000 photographs realised together with his wife, along their strolls and trips made over the years in more than 20 countries.              Translated by: Izabella Feher