Exhibitions

NTB actors tell the stories of the works damaged by shots in December 1989

In December 2020, after more than three decades of concern, the National Museum of Art of Romania and the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest are bringing into discussion the restoration of the paintings shot at the 1989 Revolution, by means of a unique project.

The two cultural institutions will publicly launch a series of 11 videos through which NTB actors talk about 11 paintings from the NMAR Modern Romanian Art collection, which were severely damaged during those days. The project is inspired by the temporary exhibition Laboratory II - 1989. restoration of shot paintings, open at NMAR until June 2021 and featuring 20 restored paintings. Shot full-frontal, in bursts, the paintings then underwent a long restoration process, through which they were subjected to a series of rescue, recomposition and restoration actions, thanks to the efforts of the museum restorers.

Interesting for experts was not only the restoration process itself, but also to be aware of the "traumas" to which these works were subjected and to see the deep traces drawn into the destinies of the works.

The project (R)estoration of paintings. NTB actors tell the stories of the works shot in December 1989, presenting the case of some paintings saved and rendered back to the exhibition circuit, enjoying together 11 happy destinies.

The actors of the I.L. Caragiale National Theatreof Bucharest transpose themselves and become the voices of these paintings. Through their voices, the project draws attention to the effects of the actions of that time, imprinted among the layers of colour. Face to face with the restored paintings, the actors narrate, feel and convey the load of artworks. Through their voices, the stories of the 11 paintings are heard by today's generations. The recollection of the tragic events, the reanalysis of each work and even the simple viewing of the stages before and after the restoration, transforms the present project into a true historical manifesto, appealing to conscience and civic spirit.

The videos are made available to the audience through the communication platforms of NMAR and NTB, respectively the YouTube accounts and the Facebook pages of the institutions, in an attempt to make these unique stories accessible.

We start with the series of videos presenting the works signed by Ioan Andreescu (1850 - 1882) and you can find out the stories of the four works shot and restored with the participation of actors Ileana Olteanu, Lari Georgescu, Alexandru Potocean and Mircea Rusu. The restorers of the paintings are Sorina Gheorghiță, Ioan Sfrijan and Horațiu Costin.

The project is achieved by the National Museum of Art of Romania and the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest, with the participation of the group of the Easel Painting Restoration Laboratory and the actors: Emilia Popescu, Amalia Ciolan, Monica Davidescu, Ileana Olteanu, Cosmina Olariu, Ion Caramitru , Alexandru Potocean, Lari Georgescu, Richard Bovnoczki and Daniel Badale.

The presentation videos are completed by a dedicated exhibition, arranged right on the NMAR fence in Calea Victoriei. Passers-by can admire the 11 paintings, along with the 11 actors and can access the videos via the QR codes that accompany the exhibited photos. Practically, the space that could not contain the events of 1989 now becomes the landmark of the three decades of cultural recovery.

The exhibition is created by photographer Florin Ghioca.

We invite you to watch the project online, at the addresses:

https://www.facebook.com/MuzeulNationalDeArtaAlRomaniei

https://www.facebook.com/TNB.Ro

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG9s0kj4p2AJvUZ76tVDog

https: //www.mnar.arts.ro

The project is produced with the support of Banca Transilvania.

Partner: Visual Exploration Centre Association

Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

Media Partners: