Visual Arts

Officially, 1178 people died in the Revolution, but the number is not yet final, many files are waiting for a verdict even now. The project 1178? - Gesture for Heroes aims at reuniting artists from all fields in a symbolic effort of remembrance, documentation and gratitude. We invite 1178 artists to join our project by paying tribute to a missing person. A fine artwork, a text fragment, a film scene, a piece of music or any personal contribution to our gesture against oblivion. A simple and discreet artistic gesture that reminds us of those who disappeared in December 1989 and maybe, from the collective memory. The artistic gestures will be reunited in electronic format and presented in the form of projections (plasmas, tablets, video projections) held simultaneously between December 17th and 22nd, 2019 at the headquarters of the host partners: Galateca, NTB, ArCuB, MNLR Crețulescu, CNDB, Cotroceni National Museum (TBC). The website of the project (work in progress) will function as an archive-document of the gestures and heroes dedicated to them. The project is an open call and the organizers will also launch a list of guests, personalities of our culture, from the country and from the diaspora. The project is a cultural and civic attitude, without political involvement. The organizers reserve the right to reject applications that cause image damage to the event, the organizer and the partners. Partners: Association December 21st, UNARTE, UNITER, TNB, Museum of Romanian Literature, Galateca Gallery, ArCuB, Union of Composers and Musicologists, National Dance Centre Bucharest, Cotroceni National Museum (TBC). Project launched by the Fine Artists’ Union - Drawing Department and carried out with the support of all partner institutions, with the pro bono involvement of the artists and the project team.  The form for participation in the project can be downloaded here This, alongside the work- artistic gesture will be sent to: Anca Boeriu - anca.1178@gmail.com // 0722 357 212 Stefana Marmureanu - stefana.1178@gmail.com // 0724 245 565 Deadline for sending the application November 20th, 2019. The project team is composed of: Anca Boeriu, Stefana Marmureanu, Ariadna Ponta, Maxim Trikhanov, Alexandru Simion-Boeriu and Dragos Tudor.

On June 18th, 2019, from 6.00 p.m., in the Rotunda Hall (Small Hall lobby) of the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest, the opening of the Visual Reflections exhibition will be held, featuring the teachers from the Faculty of Arts and Design of the West University of Timisoara. The event is part of the series of events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the West University of Timisoara, in 1944, through Royal Decree, by His Majesty, King Michael I of Romania. The following teacher-artists of Timisoara will participate with works of graphics, painting, sculpture, ceramics and installations: Dacian Andoni, Daniel Apostu, Eugen Barzu, Calin Beloescu, Constantina Catargiu, Dana Catona, Daniela Constantin, Matei Gaspar, Victor Gingiu, Gloria Grati, Alexandru Jakabhazi, Gabriel Kelemen, Rudolf Kocsis, Adriana Lucaciu, Ioan Pop, Liliana Popa, Smaranda Moldovan, Andreea Palade Flondor, Andrei Parausanu, Bogdan Rata, Cristian Sida, Mihai Zgondoiu.  The opening will be attended by Univ. Professor PhD Marilen Gabriel Pirtea, Rector of the West University of Timisoara. Opening speech: Univ. Prof. PhD Cristian Robert Velescu, art historian and critic.   Public access is made through Carol Blvd, daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for Mondays. The exhibition will be open until September 30th, 2019.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The Art and Imagination Association, a Romanian nonprofit organisation, invites you to the opening of the Romanian Photographer Salon, at its sixth edition, on Friday, June 7th, 2019, 7.00 p.m., in the NTB Media Foyer (Intercontinental Wing). The exhibition features the works selected after a photo contest, attended not only by lecturers and students of Romanian photography schools, but also by many independent photographers. The concept of "school of photography" is defined by the organizers in a broader sense of terms, including any form of organized learning, from the short, theoretical and / or practical courses, whether they are held in a classroom, or they are just outdoor, on a trip especially intended for photographic purposes, up to higher educational institutions specializing in this form of art. The event, unique in the country through its concept, aims at being the true mirror of what Romanian photography means at one point, bringing together the works of photographers from all generations, which approach the most diverse genres (nature, journalism, portraiture, urban landscape, events, etc.). The exhibition also includes a special section with theatre photography, compiled at the suggestion of the I.L. Caragiale National Theatre. This includes a selection of the most beautiful pictures from some shows of the current theatre repertoire. The exhibition will be open until July 7th, 2019. Visiting hours: daily from 2.00 to 7.00 p.m., except for Mondays.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

Every year, in June, The Mihai Gitlan Humanitarian Foundation - founded in memory of the young artist, the martyr hero of the Revolution of December 1989, the first victim to have died, right in front of the Dalles Hall, in the dramatic December events - organizes an exhibition event designed to perpetuate his memory. In collaboration with the Contemp-Art Centre, the Foundation promotes painters, sculptors, graphic artists, photographers, designers, whose works are exhibited alongside the works of painter Ion Gitlan, father of Mihai and of Laura, his sister and also the "soul" of the Foundation. Hosted for the second consecutive year in NTB's Media Room (Tudor Arghezi wing), the Gitlan Foundation exhibition will be opened on Thursday, June 6th, 2019, at 4.00 p.m. and will be presented by art critic Marius Tita from Radio Romania International. The works of the following artists will be featured: Ion Gitlan, Andreea Gherghel, Alexandra Teaca, Paula Craioveanu, Rares Kerekes, Laurentiu Midvichi, Raluca Serban, Ammar Alnahaas, Liviu Brezeanu, Elena Surdu Stanescu. Coordinator Laura Gitlan.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

On Tuesday, May 14th, 2019, starting from6:30 p.m., we invite you to the opening of the "Photogeographica 2019" National Photography Salon, to be hosted in the Media Room (the wing towards Tudor Arghezi Street) of the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest. On this occasion, the catalog Photobook 2019 will be launched that shall contain, besides the awarded photos for the three sections: cultural heritage, natural landscape and wildlife, the most successful works in the contest’s photo gallery. The salon is open for visitation from May 14th to 30th, 2019 and brings together a selection of more than 1300 photos taken by the 200 participants from across the country. At the same time, there will be a series of events related to science, culture or sports themes, photography workshops and public awareness activities. Photogeographica was transformed from an annual photo competition open to the youth, complemented by a multitude of activities, publications, field expeditions and a permanent interrogation about the role of this genre into a "phenomenon-movement." The standard grew year by year, and the prize-winners became respected professionals, with trophies in prestigious international competitions, illustrated publications and albums, who made personal exhibitions. Their images are not only a document, but also an incentive. Natural and cultural heritage is an important part of our identity and an inheritance that binds us. The project is run under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Bucharest Cultural House, with the special support of the "IL Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest. Partners: National Geographic Romania, Zitec, University of Bucharest - Faculty of Geography, DJST Hunedoara, Student Club of Photographic Art, Radio Bucharest Fm, UNESCO ProNatura, Wild Romania, Artographic, Horticultural Photography Club Sibiu, Hunedoreni Photographers Association, Sfinx Spelean Association, GO4FUN, Photo Course, Association for the Conservation of Biological Diversity, Life Wolf, Focul Viu Spelean Association, Orizont Photoclub, Foto4ever, Exclus Prod, Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, Romanian Scouts - Sf. Nicolae Local Centre. Photogeographica is the most important national event in the field of youth photography competitions, focusing on the promotion of Romanian values, culture and traditions. Details 2019 on www.fotogeografica.ro   Project Coordinator: Paul Bordas   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

During the Romanian-France Season 2019, the French artist of Romanian origin, Dimitri Cusa, established for more than four decades in France, returns to Romania to present to the audience in his country a representative selection of sculptures and drawings, created in his studio in Evry Ville Nouvelle near Paris. In the exhibition to be opened on April 18th, 2019 in the Rotunda of the Small Hall of the I.L. Caragiale National Theatre and the varnishing which shall take place on Wednesday, April 24th, 2019, at 18.00, the Romanian audience shall be able to admire the works of the Romanian-French artist, which remain on view until June 15th, 2019. At the opening, youshall be introduced into the artistic world of Dimitri Cusa by the art critic Virgil Mocanu, who remarked the artist since his inception in Romania, prefacing the catalogue which shall be released on this occasion: "I have noticed him since his debut due to his force and originality. Then, as now, he was alienated from the revolt of the neophyte against all and without paying tribute to a successful name. (...). Cusa's sculpture translates the abstraction of ideas and concepts into the solution of a purged figurative, using the human module extracted from a reality that we too often perceive as tautological and redundant. His volition and sublimation ability shall lead him to his own character, an ideal essence at the crossroads of great tensions. (...). Therefore, the artist preferred to develop under the cultural dome that also covers the archaism of the founding civilizations from which the being crystallized ... ". The exhibition, in partnership with the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre, is organised within the Season France - Romania / Romania France, under the auspices of the Romanian Government and the French Embassy in Romania, the Romanian Cultural Institute and the French Institute. Access to the exhibition is made at the entrance from Carol Blvd. About Dimitri Cusa Born on 27 February 1947 in the town of M. Kogalniceanu, Dobrogea. 1963 - 1968: Studies at the Fine Arts High School in Constanta where Professor Wilhelm Demeter discovers his talent for sculpture. 1970 - 1974: Studies at the "Nicolae Grigorescu" Institute of Fine Arts in Bucharest. 1976 - 1977: Participated in numerous symposia and sculpture camps at Magura, Arcuş, Medgidia, and obtained the sculpture grant of the Fine Artists Union. First personal exhibition at the Orizont Gallery. 1978: Obtains a scholarship in France and is definitively established here. 1979: Works in the stone pit at Tavel near Avignon and creats his first sculptures in France. He participates for the first time in the "Grands et Jeunes d'aujourd'hui" Salon, Grand Palais, Paris. 1980 - 1981: Obtains the Evry Atelier and exhibits at the "Sacred Art" Salon of Corbeil and Evry. Creates a marble sculpture commissioned by Ville nouvelle d 'Evry. 1983: Participates in the exhibition "Eight Romanian Artists" at the "La Platone" Gallery in Paris. 1987 - 1992: Personal exhibitions at Salon Mac, Grand Palais, Paris and group exhibitions in Strasbourg and Paris. 1994: Group exhibition at Versailles where he receives the Sculpture Award. 1994 and 1999: Exhibition at the 20th Century International Art Fair in Gand, Belgium. 1999: Performs a monumental bronze work for the city of Constanta. 2003 - 2004: Participates in the Contemporary Art Biennial, Brie Compte Robert, the Contemporary Art Fair in Strasbourg and the Contemporary Art Fair in Istanbul with the Alkent Actuel Art Gallery, Istanbul.2006 - 2018: He regularly exhibits at the Vanmeneen Gallery in Gand, Belgium. Works in the Georges Heckly collection, Paris and in private collections in France, Belgium, the United States, Korea, Turkey and Romania.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The exhibition is occasioned by the commemoration of 60 years since the trials and executions of the participants in the anti-communist resistance of Nucsoara (1959). Its purpose is to present the way in which members of over 30 families involved in the anti-communist resistance during the years 1949-1958 spent their lives (including the children of the punished families): convictions, seizures of goods, deportations with house arrest, executions.   The photos and documents used originate, to a great extent, from the CNSAS archive. The author of the exhibition, Ioana Voicu-Arnautoiu added, for sketching the family portraits of Nucsoara, personal archive photos and excerpts from books and albums published since the early nineties on the anti-communist resistance group from Nutmeg, led by Thomas Arnautoiu. The opening of the exhibition is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17th, 2019, from 7.00 p.m., in the Studio Hall foyer and shall be open until May 4th, 2019.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu   

"The most charming naive painter" exhibitsat NTB on Easter Eve As of April 10th, 2019, in the Media Center (Intercontinental wing) of the I.L. Caragiale National Theatre, naive art lovers shall be able to reunite with one of the most acknowledged creators of the field, the famous peasant artist Gheorghe Ciobanu from Baltati village (Iasi), whose works can be found nowadays, not only in Romania, but also in collections from the USA, Canada, Austria, France, Italy, Germany. In addition to numerous paintings that delight the eye with the richness of colours and the extraordinary wealth of details, Gheorghe Ciobanu shall also exhibit this time some original "peasant icons", painted on carved wood. Easter Day on Green Grass is the title under which the exhibition is being presented on Wendsday, April 10th, 2019,from 6.00 p.m., approaching the Easter Holidays. "I wanted an Easter exhibition, the icons being compatible with the Resurrection feast, although I have painting compositions of Christian inspiration," explains the artist. (...) By focusing on detail I want to show the perfection of God's work, the beauty and poetry of His Creation. The world is beautiful as He created it. (...) We need so little to be happy! When I stand on my knees and paint, I pray to God to give me a little beauty to put in my paintings, much of which he put in his creation. And when the picture begins to bind, to appear from beneath the brush, then I feel a joy and fullness that heals all the evils and makes me happy. " A bliss that we want to sharewiththe visitors of the exhibition, who shall be open until May 19th, 2019. The exhibition can be visited daily from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

On theoccasion of the Francophonie Day, the foyer of the National Theatre Studio Hall shall host between March 20th and 31st, 2019 the Francophone Humour Salon, organized by GADIF (Group of Francophone Embassies, Delegations and Institutions of Romania). The exhibition includes comics, press drawings, caricatures and excerpts from comic films from various francophone countries: Argentina, Lebanon, Romania, Valonia-Bruxelles, France, Egypt, Czech Republic, Hungary, Uruguay. The varnishing is scheduled for Thursday March 19th, 2019, from 7:30 p.m   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The commemorative exhibition Stefan Bucataru - 50 Years of Painting that can be visited from 7 to 31 March 2019 in the Media Centre (Intercontinental wing) of the I.L. Caragiale National Theatre represents a beautiful tribute to the artist by his son: 58 works (oil on canvas and cardboard), carefully and demandingly selected by Madalina Mirea, curator of this exhibition, of the dozens of works that Stefan Bucataru painted throughout a lifetime dedicated to art and pedagogy, works kept in the family collection, shall be seen by the general public. A student of Camil Ressu at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bucharest, Stefan Bucataru (1923 - 2001) painted mainly motifs inspired from the village life, but also countless landscapes and still lives, being present with his first personal exhibition in 1957 at the Technical Chemistry School, where he taught drawing and painting. Member of the Society for Music and Drawing, Vice-President of the "Ion Andreescu" Circle in Bucharest. He was appreciated and praised in the written press of the time and enjoyed the appreciation of the masters Corneliu Baba, Alexandru Cumpata, Grigore Vanatoru, Alexandru Ciucurencu, Constantin Piliuta. He organised 22 personal exhibitions and participated in 13 collective and group exhibitions, both in Bucharest and throughout the country. The opening of the exhibition is scheduled for Thursday, March 7th, 2019 from 6 pm, in the Media Foyer (Intercontinental wing). The exhibition shall be open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu