The exhibition "Brancusi: Romanian Sources and Universal Perspectives" opened to the public on Saturday at the National Art Museum (MNArT) of Timisoara, this year's European Capital of Culture, in the presence of several hundred Romanian and foreign tourists eager to see the great sculptor's artwork on display.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Chamber of Deputies Speaker Alfred Simonis, Minister of Culture Raluca Turcan, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin Grindeanu also attended the opening event, agerpres reports.
Minister Raluca Turcan declared that she was impressed by the exhibition, which is proof of MNArT's high standing.
"I wish I could leisurely enjoy all the exhibits on display here. My favorite piece has always been 'The Sleeping Muse', but I cannot but admire and appreciate other exceptional works as well. I think MNArT has a very beautiful perspective. This exhibition and the museum's ability to host it is proof of MNArT's credibility and of its capacity to fulfill some exceptional conditions. The MNArT will not be shut down. Even after the presentation in Parliament of the bill the government pledged responsibility for, there are still rumors about the closure of this museum. Not only will it not close, but with the substantial support of the County Council, and also due to this exhibition, it has the potential to become one of the most beautiful museums in the country," Raluca Turcan said.
Exhibition curator Doina Lemny reiterated that through the event staged in Timisoara she wanted to prove that Brancusi was not a renegade artist in Romania, not even during the communist regime.
"The media has just been spreading around some clichés, which saddens me a lot. It is rumored that Brancusi wanted to donate his workshop in Paris to the Romanian state. This is absolutely not true. (...). Brancusi was not a renegade in the country. I would like the visitors to look at Brancusi's works until they really see them. There is a big difference between looking and seeing. If they leave this exhibition with one, two or three works in mind, the exhibition is a success and convinces them that Brancusi was one of the trailblazing European artists," said Doina Lemny.
MNArT director Filip Petcu said he is amazed by the effervescence of the public and the positive reactions in national and international media.
"These were two absolutely fabulous days, an extraordinary emulation, there are exclusively positive impressions about the quality of the exhibition and what it means for Timisoara, for Romania on a national and international level. Art lovers from the country and from all over the world have booked so far around 8,000 tickets on the MNArT platform. This is a very special showcasing concept, the exhibits communicate starting from the curatorial concept that reflects Brancusi's relationship with his homeland Romania, with patrons, with personalities from Romania and from the diaspora who supported him and thanks to whom his creation was enhanced and promoted in the West and in Romania as well. It's an event that transcends borders and time. There are works that left for the first time the Pompidou Center in Paris or the Tate Gallery in London. These works convey their message flawlessly thanks to the relationship with Brancusi's photos, which were loaned to MNArT through the contribution of an important collector from Great Britain who owns a Swiss gallery," explained Filip Petcu.
In the year of Timisoara's stint as European Capital of Culture, MNArT hosted important exhibitions dedicated to Victor Brauner, Paul Neagu, Romul Nutiu, and the Brancusi event now crowns the museum's efforts to transform into a national and international landmark.
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