Renowned Artists of the Twentieth Century in Bucharest. The Picasso Effect, Museum of Recent Art, Bucharest. 27.09.2023–22.01.2024, Curator Erwin Kessler. The Universe of Salvador Dalí, ARCUB, Bucharest – Gabroveni Inn, 13.12.2023–12.05.2024, Curator Jas

Abstract

The exhibition at the MARe/Museum of Recent Art in Bucharest titled The Picasso Effect (September 27, 2023 – January 8, 2024), commemorates the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s passing. It featured 46 invaluable works by Picasso alongside 65 pieces by 37 contemporary Romanian artists, profoundly influenced by Picasso’s legacy. The exhibition comprises paintings, sculptures, video art, prints, and sketches both by Picasso and Romanian artists. The space itself echoes the artist’s life, exemplified by the striking contrast between the pink walls and the remarkable blue tint of the artworks, reminiscent of Picasso’s pink and blue eras. Another interesting aspect of the space is the grouping of various themes or subjects from Picasso’s life in different rooms of the museum. The intriguing aspect lies in the dialogue between Picasso’s artworks and the other 65 pieces by contemporary Romanian artists, whether part of the museum’s permanent collection or temporary exhibitions. The Museum of Recent Art consistently fosters communication among artworks, drawing imaginary lines between them, a characteristic evident in this exhibition as well. What particularly resonated with me throughout the exhibition was the connection between the artwork Sleeping Woman with Shutters and the entire row of portraits by various Romanian artists. I appreciated both the thoughtful curation of the pieces and the aesthetics of the paneling. Another intriguing connection emerged between Picasso’s Femme à l’Oreiller and Dumitru Gorzo’s painting, Lilith. Following the gaze of the paintings, I discerned a pattern that indicated the specific order in which a visitor should view the artworks. Gorzo’s Bull gazes over at Tincuța Marin’s artwork Untitled, creating a compelling crossover between a painting and a sculpture. This interaction between the wood and the canvas helps create a strong dialogue between artworks across mediums and time. The interconnections established within space offer an authentic and universal perspective on Picasso’s artistic universe.