Yes, many are asking me, why I go to exhibitions and why I go to almost every exhibition available, regardless of the theme of the exhibition is. For me such question shows the person asking has no clue about art and is not interested in knowing about new things either. It would be rude to tell them this, even if it's true, so I just tell them you can see interesting things and that's all. Telling them more would most likely be a huge waste of time. If there's not a drop of curiosity towards art, history, science and so on, whatever you say, won't change their way of thinking.
For me, this exhibition (the rest as well, but this one particularly) was really a huge dose of inspiration and encouragement as well. The plan was to observe very carefully, take photos of everything and ask questions as well, if there's something I want to know.
Klára Livia Tudoran - Family (left), Past & Present (right)
This type of textile art is what I'm thinking of because it seems the simplest at the moment. I'm not saying recreating this artwork. I'm saying layering on canvas. Over the years I've seen quite a few such artworks and it's unbelievable what you can do with just a few pieces of textile that serves for nothing anymore.
These two seemed to be made with sewing machine.
Bianca Cigher Fernea - Chroma Skin
Seems made of paper at first glance, but it's actually fabric.
Look at how many types of fabric there are and try to imagine how many pieces of fabric have been attached to this canvas. Not to mention arranging the colors so in way to be pleasant for the eye. How much time does such a work require? The title is perfect by the way and excellent execution as well.
Maria Gliga - Hesitant Way
This is the title of the other, the long artwork.
Iulia Filip - Reflective Tradition
Let me try to describe what I went through when I saw this one.
First reaction, shock, or maybe surprise but not in a good way, by seeing that many plastic bags there. Then if you look closer, there's something else to notice there, but you only know, if you know the culture.
The cross stitch pattern you see is a traditional pattern and you see it on the plastic bags too.
I asked Presearch AI to explain what reflective tradition means and this is what I got:
Reflective tradition refers to the practice of thoughtfully considering and analyzing cultural, religious, or philosophical traditions to understand their meanings, values, and implications in contemporary contexts.
In this case, the reflective tradition runs on two lanes. We have the original tradition and the tradition of plastic waste. One has to be preserved at all costs as it's the history and the identity of the Romanian nation, while the other has to disappear asap! This is how I see this, but who knows, I might be wrong. You tell me what you understand here. Would be curious to know.
Bianca Cigher Fernea - Goliath
There are many way to evaluate art and we all have different ways to do it. So let's see how I do it.
Visual effect - How it looks like to me, how it makes me feel
Meaning for me- Message that the artwork transmits to me, what it tells me
Execution - What it is made of and how it is made of
What it really is - What the artist has tried to express or in plain English, the title
So when I saw this, I said how cool it is, with all those round pieces of different color, forming a lovely pattern. I love the colors as well, there's a harmony between them and that is always pleasing for the eye.
Then I went closer to see what it is made of.
Surprised? I was. I gave up drinking coffee the year I joined Hive, in 2018, so it's been 7 years already. Back then these coffee capsules were not so popular and i always preferred freshly ground coffee beans, but I recognized what it is right away. I must say, it's an original idea and the symmetry and the colors make it pleasant to the eye.
Goliath was a giant Philistine warrior mentioned in the Bible, known for his battle with the young David, who defeated him with a sling and a stone.
Are these symbolizing David's stones? Possible. He only had 5 and defeated Goliath with one, after which he beheaded him, but here the more the merrier after all the visual effect is what counts.
Imola Csillag - Parallel Plan
I suppose this was felt and I can see a lovely little birdie on top as well.
Imola Csillag - H.L's Portrait
Don't ask me ho H.L. is as I don't know either, but it doesn't even matter. Look at this absolutely stunning work. I'm not entirely sure, but my best guess is this is felt. How do you create a portrait using only felt? I've been planning to try out felting as it seems so amazing and you can create some wonderful colors, but that time has never come. This, on the other hand is art at the highest level.
Kati Bandi - A village (or One Village?)(left) - Open Gates (right)
These were two fantastic works. Painting on canvas. It's like a panorama photo, but on canvas and not from left to right, but from up to down. It's like the story of the village on an 1m long canvas. Love the colors and the traditional, carved wooden gates you find in Transylvanian villages, where tradition is still kept alive.
Now back to the question I posted in the title and at the beginning of the post. What's in it for me? If this is not refreshing and inspiring, then ... maybe we have different interests.
Let me know what you think and wish it is your favorite, if you have one. I hope you do.
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