Masterpieces depicting love from the National Portrait Gallery, London, first show in Bucharest

Art Safari continues the series of rediscoveries of great Romanian artists with the painter Constantin Artachino (1870-1954), in an exhibition organized in collaboration with the Bucharest City Museum, featuring a surprising scenography by Cosmin Florea;

“Strong emotions, butterflies in the stomach, platonic love, or long-lasting relationships? The full spectacle of love can be seen at Art Safari Love Edition. Love stories have fascinated humanity forever, and art has offered touching testimonies of love throughout time. From National Portrait Gallery, London, now in the heart of Bucharest, Love Stories is an exhibition that will captivate all generations,” said Ioana Ciocan, CEO of Art Safari and Romania’s commissioner at the Venice Biennale.

“Love Stories,” curator: Lucy Peltz, exhibition in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, London

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The portraits exhibited in Bucharest trace the ever-changing face of love through a series of real-life stories dominated by passion and tragedy. “Love Stories” is an exhibition like an ode dedicated to love. From the idea that love was a dangerous illness to its contemporary celebration as a means of finding fulfillment in life, love has been a constant and defining feature of humanity.

“Love Stories” also includes a Romanian section with works signed by Romanian artists, including the great painter Nicolae Grigorescu, as well as the love correspondence between Constantin Brâncuși and one of his great loves, Florence Meyer, a much younger American dancer.

Constantin Artachino (1870 – 1954), curator: Elena Olariu, exhibition in partnership with the Bucharest City Museum, scenography: Cosmin Florea

Artachino is considered a master of portraiture and landscape in the history of local art. He was drawn to the oriental and Balkan world, which he painted with silk touches. He stood out for his elegant, balanced creations, with clear lines and perfectly harmonized contours. An important and sophisticated artist, Artachino was admitted at School of Fine Arts, where he was one of Theodor Aman’s students, as well as in Paris, at the Julian Academy, where he was a colleague of Nicolae Vermont and Ştefan Luchian. In fact, he becomes their friend and forms artistic groups together. For his exceptional merits as a painter and teacher, he was decorated by King Ferdinand in 1915 and by King Carol II in 1931.

The exhibition’s scenography is signed by Cosmin Florea, one of Romania’s most highly regarded theater scenographers. He has collaborated with important directors from Romania and France, and in 2022, he won the Uniter Award for Best Scenography. “Forest of the Hanged” (directed by Radu Afrim), “Exile” (directed by Alexandra Badea) are some of the representative plays in his universe.

Ion Alin Gheorghiu (1929-2001), the artist of the Hanging Gardens, exhibition curated by: Anamaria Smigelschi, curatorial text by Andrei Pleșu

Art Safari exhibits large-scale abstract canvases by one of Romania’s most important postmodern painters, Ion Alin Gheorghiu.

“Each image is a synthesis of sensuality and discipline, authentic spontaneity and sober ‘classicism,’ with discreet baroque undertones… Alin Gheorghiu possesses all the qualities of a master of great stature, a model of professionalism and inspiration. Unfortunately, I sometimes have the feeling that the need for models is diminished today, in a crisis of criteria and culture. A plausible solution to this hopefully passing crisis is the exhibition at Art Safari” – excerpt from the curatorial text written by Andrei Pleșu.

“Nymphs and Zombies: Ondine’s Hope and Baraka’s Despair,” curator: Ruth Hibbard, Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Two contemporary artists with diametrically opposed visions united in an unconventional exhibition.

Ruth Hibbard, curator: “An exhibition with two different entrances! The works of both artists are brought together in the middle of the exhibition space, in a single room that can be accessed from both sides. Here, you can compare the different visions of Ondine and Baraka and decide whether you are part of the Nymphs team or the Zombies team.”

Ondine Slimovschi (b. 1982) is an artist of serene mythology and the fairytale bestiary. She uses the female portrait as a tool to suggest strong emotions, while Paul Baraka (b. 1994) is an artist who focuses on shocking and provocative subjects. His approach is also critical, highlighting the banality of evil through sarcasm and irony.

In addition to the 4 exhibitions, Art Safari will exhibit a series of installations. Children are also welcome to participate in art workshops and personalized guided tours as part of Art Safari Kinder.

Art Safari Schedule (June 30th – September 10th, 2023)