Brancusi Day: Events across Romania and through the Romanian Cultural Institutes

Dedicated to the renowned Romanian sculptor, Brancusi Day is celebrated annually on February 19, marking Constantin Brâncuși’s birth anniversary. A key figure in 20th-century art, Brâncuși significantly influenced modern sculpture, transforming traditional concepts. Various events honoring Brâncuși are held across Romania and Europe, showcasing his legacy through exhibitions, workshops, and lectures. These events highlight Brâncuși’s profound impact on the international artistic community, emphasizing his connections with other artists and his enduring influence.

Brancusi Day in Bucharest

To celebrate together the National Day of Constantin Brâncuși (February 19) at the National Museum of Art of Romania, the following activities will take place on Sunday, February 18, 2024: educational workshops “The Bird Hidden in Stone. Workshop dedicated to Constantin Brâncuși” for children aged 6-9 and 10-14, held by Ioana Ciuștea, MNAR collaborator, guided tours in the Brâncuși Hall of the Gallery of Modern Romanian Art, supported by Miruna Moraru and Delia Popa.

Brancusi Day in Târgu Jiu

An exhibition of European graphic art dedicated to the sculptor Constantin Brâncuși, homage to the pioneer of Modernism, will be inaugurated on February 17 in Târgu Jiu, at the museum bearing his name. The exhibition entitled “Homage to Brâncuși” includes original works – engravings and lithographs – signed by major European artists such as Georges Braque (1882 – 1963), Salvador Dalí (1904 – 1989), Giorgio De Chirico (1888 – 1978), Max Ernst (1891 – 1976), Oskar Kokoschka (1886 – 1980), Marino Marini (1924 – 1997), André Masson (1896 – 1987), Henry Moore (1898 – 1986), and Ossip Zadkine (1888 – 1967). Also featured are creations – produced in the major engraving workshops of the European space, engravings and lithographs made in limited series, with the agreement of families and heirs – by Constantin Brâncuși (1876 – 1957), Alberto Giacometti (1901 – 1966), Amedeo Modigliani (1884 – 1920), Auguste Rodin (1840 – 1917), and Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973). The works are part of the European art collection of lawyer George Șerban. “Homage to Brâncuși” is intended to celebrate and highlight the significance of Brâncuși’s work in the international artistic climate. The sculptor had direct relationships with some of these artists, and for others, he provided a source of inspiration. The vernissage is scheduled for February 17, at 2:00 PM. The exhibition will be open until March 14.

Brancusi Day in Craiova

During February 17 – 19, a series of events will take place within the “Constantin Brâncuși Days”, hosted by the Craiova Art Museum – Jean Mihail Palace and the Constantin Brâncuși Center. On Friday, February 17, at 5:00 PM, at the Constantin Brâncuși Center, the opening of the PAYS SAGE exhibition will be held, a multimedia exhibition (photo, video, installation), realized in collaboration with the National University of Arts Bucharest. Curator: Daniel Constantinescu. On Saturday, February 18, at the Constantin Brâncuși Center, starting from 11:00 AM, a debate on the theme of a landmark work – Ecorche, created by Constantin Brâncuși and Dimitrie Gerota, the best-preserved specimen being the one from the Craiova Art Museum, followed by the presentation of the latest volume, dedicated to Ecorche, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Irinel Popescu: “An Astral Encounter: Dimitrie Gerota – Constantin Brâncuși – The Story of Ecorche”. Starting from 2:00 PM, at the Art Museum, the opening of the exhibition “AFTER 10 YEARS” – Acquisitions and donations at the Craiova Art Museum (2014 – 2024) will take place. Curator: Laura Tiparu.

On Monday, February 19, at the Constantin Brâncuși Center, starting from 12:00 PM, the conference “Brâncuși: an insight into the artist’s work and life” will be held, presented by Dr. Doina Lemny. On the occasion of the National Day of Constantin Brâncuși, art historian Doina Lemny, author of numerous works on the artist’s work, will present the results of her recent research, presented in two books published by Gourcuff – Gradenigo (Montreuil – Paris): Brancusi: the true thing and Brancusi and his muses. The events dedicated to the National Day of Constantin Brâncuși, in Craiova, will conclude with a solo sound show – Unveiling (The Ritual) – Sergiu Corbu Boldor, built on the structure of the sculptural ensemble created by Constantin Brâncuși, in Târgu Jiu: The Table of Silence, The Gate of the Kiss, The Endless Column. The event will start at 7:00 PM, at the Art Museum.

Brancusi Day in Europe

Several cultural institutes of Romania in European countries organize events dedicated to the great artist. On February 19, ICR Warsaw will broadcast on its YouTube channel the digital premiere of the film “Brâncuși: Romanian sources and universal perspectives”, produced by TVR Timișoara, a documentary in which Doina Lemny, curator of the most important retrospective dedicated to the Romanian sculptor in his native country in the last 50 years, held at the art museum in Timișoara, presents the main themes sublimated by Constantin Brâncuși over the years, the artist’s connections with the Romanian and international artistic environment, and the most important works from the exhibition, which came from the collections of the Pompidou Center in Paris, Tate Gallery in London, Guggenheim Foundation, National Art Museum of Romania, Craiova Art Museum, as well as from private collections.

Brâncuși will also be celebrated at the Romanian Cultural Institute in Stockholm, through the conference “Brâncuși and the Romanian avant-garde”, organized on February 19, starting from 6:00 PM, at the ICR headquarters. The guests of the event are art critic Cătălin Davidescu and literature professor Marius Hentea, who will give lectures on the artist’s work and his connections with personalities of the Romanian avant-garde in Paris, accompanied by images, documents, and unpublished information related to the artist’s close associates, including Erik Satie, Marcel Duchamp, Tristan Tzara, Apollinaire, Man Ray, and Francis Picabia.

In collaboration with the ArtEncounters Foundation, ICR London celebrates Brâncuși’s day on February 21, starting from 7:00 PM, with a round table attended by art historian and curator Doina Lemny, ArtEncounters President Ovidiu Șandor, art historian and curator Matthew Gale, and David Grob, art collector and owner of one of the most important collections of photographs taken by Brâncuși, to which Romanians in London and art lovers are invited.

The Romanian Cultural Institute in Lisbon organizes on February 22, starting from 5:45 PM, the lecture entitled “A glimpse into Brâncuși” held by Portuguese artist Rui Sanches, which will take place in the Auditorium of the Museum of Contemporary Art – Cultural Center Belém, inaugurated last year. Rui Sanches, from whose perspective Constantin Brâncuși was one of the main proponents and critics of Western sculpture at the end of the nineteenth century, will talk about the life and work of the Romanian sculptor and its main characteristics, as well as about his affinities with other artists.