What motivates artists? What motivates people to change something? How do we get to change the world? An imaginary journey through time—we will discuss how it used to be in Romania and the surrounding area, how times have changed and why. We write, we draw, we mask ourselves and maybe we plan a better world. —These are the questions and proposals that the artist Gavril Pop makes to the pupils for the third thematic workshop in the frame of the “Performing 89” exhibition.
Gavril Pop is interested in visualising cognitive processes and the conjunction of knowledge elements. He is also concerned with the relationship of the general public with art processes and constantly collaborates with foundations and associations in Timișoara in cultural mediation programmes attached to contemporary art exhibitions. As an artist, he has collaborated with independent spaces and artistic platforms such as Lapsus, Draft, Secret Garden (Timișoara), GAEP (Bucharest), Camera (Cluj).
Titled YOU ARE HERE, the educational programme aims to offer participating students a series of experiences starting from works, places and ideas from the PERFORMING 89 exhibition, to generate a context and understanding from various perspectives concerning the period the exhibition refers to and the life and actions of the artists of that time. The artists who lead the workshops were invited to develop a content inspired by artworks in the exhibition, but which could also function independently in future workshops once the exhibition closes.
The workshop programme is specially designed for students in Timisoara, to facilitate a better understanding of recent history and the urban space they inhabit. Three student groups participate in the programme, from Secondary School no. 30, Nikolaus Lenau Theoretical High School and Babel High School in Timișoara.
Development and coordination team: Bianca Băilă, Nicușor Duma, Ștefania Ferchedău, Bianca Floarea.
Many thanks to FABER and Ambasada forthe support in the organisation of the events associated to the Performing 89 exhibition.
PERFORMING 89 weaves together some of the intricate storylines of the nineties which emerged in the light of political and social turns occurring after 1989. Engaging with the decade’s legacy and geographically circumscribing its research to the otherwise contrasted historical paths followed by countries like Romania, Hungary and Serbia, PERFORMING 89 traces the intersecting lines of these diverse realities which experienced euphoria and defiance, loss and transformation, war and demystification. The exhibition features a diverse range of medium-based artworks that, retrospectively, lie between documentary and subjective artistic investigation. The exhibition is on show through October 22 at FABER (4–5 Spaiul Peneș Curcanul, Timișoara) and can be visited on WED-SUN between 12:00–20:00.
Artists: APSOLUTNO, Balázs Beöthy, Nikola Džafo, Miomir Grujić Fleka, FIA Art Group, Teodor Graur, Róza El-Hassan, Big Hope, Iosif Király, LED ART, LITTLE WARSAW, Dan Mihălțianu, Saša Marković Mikrob, Csaba Nemes, Vesna Pavlović, Lia Perjovschi, Dan Perjovschi, Škart, subREAL, Újlak, Sorin Vreme. Curator: Alina Șerban
Funders: The project is part of the national cultural programme “Timișoara—European Capital of Culture in the year 2023” and is funded by the Municipality of Timișoara, through the Center for Projects. Cultural project co-funded by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. This project is supported by the Romanian Order of Architects, from the Architectural Stamp Duty.
Sponsors: Köber Industries, Crama Dealul Dorului, Siniat
Supported by: Goethe Institute Bucharest, Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
Main Partner: FABER
Partners: Art Encounters, La Două Bufnițe, Romanian Order of Architects Timiș County, Beta (Timișoara Architecture Biennial)
Logistic Partners: Galeria Plan B, Salonul de Proiecte, Muzeul Cineastului Amator, Kodex, EUROTRANS Foundation
Media Partners: rfi România, Cărturești Timișoara, Radio România Cultural, Empower Artists
Photo credit: Beatrice Baciu
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IP—The Institute of the Present is a research and an artist and theory resource platform in the field of visual and performing culture conceived by Ștefania Ferchedău and Alina Șerban.
The “Uncensored Act” programme (2021–2023), in which the exhibition is presented, dwells on the idea of community, collective action, collaboration and solidarity in the spirit of shared values, with a route that is triggered by the history of Timișoara in the 1989 context, connected regionally and internationally through the proposed artistic content.
The project does not necessarily represent the standpoint of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN cannot be held liable for the content of the project or the manner in which the outcomes of the project may be used. These shall devolve entirely on the beneficiary of the financing.
Contact: [email protected], www.institutulprezentului.ro