Jurnal de Viață – a visual arts exhibition created by the 2023 national Young Talents scholars – will be presented to the art-loving public from May 12 to June 4, 2023, by The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation at the Bucharest Municipality Museum – Filipescu-Cesianu House. This is the third collection of works created by the Foundation’s scholars on this social theme, conveying an artistic message of solidarity and admiration for those who have experienced life into old age. The exhibition opening will take place on Friday, May 12, at 5:00 PM, at Filipescu-Cesianu House, followed by an outdoor recital performed by the music scholars of the 2023 Young Talents program.

The collection, created using various techniques – painting, digital collage, photography, digital illustration, ink on paper – is based on the symbolic representation of old age, inspired by the life stories of elderly people, gathered by the young artists from among the beneficiaries of the Elderly Helpline, a service dedicated to alleviating loneliness. The testimonies conveyed through the oral histories shared by each elderly person, the objects they keep, the clothes they wear, even the items on their tables, become symbolic representations in the artists’ works, visually telling who they are and where they come from. By integrating these concepts and symbols, the artists present their vision of the lives of elderly people, traveling from past to present and highlighting their experiences, emotions, and memories.

The works of the young visual artists are displayed outdoors, along a 35-meter stretch of sidewalk on 151 Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, and can therefore be viewed at any time by passersby.

With an intergenerational character, the exhibition is complemented by works created by Ileana Dana Marinescu, mentor within the Young Talents program. A member of the Romanian Union of Fine Artists, Ileana Dana Marinescu has had a long and distinguished exhibition career in galleries in Romania and abroad, and her works are held in private collections around the world.

“It is the second time I have participated as an exhibitor alongside the scholars in this street exhibition project, and I feel I have a great advantage over them, because I do not need to rely on the experience of another elderly person. I draw from the well-organized files of my own mind, bringing to the surface stories and events from my vast life experience,” said Ileana Dana Marinescu, visual artist, aged 79.

The exhibition was curated by Associate Professor Dr. Carmen Apetrei, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the National University of Arts in Bucharest, who believes that:

“The works created by the young scholars are the result of moving ‘visits’ into the universe of old age through the testimonies and life stories of elderly people involved in the Elderly Helpline social assistance program, carried out by The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation. Life experiences are artistically transformed from the perspective of the artists’ own trials, as well as their understanding and vision regarding such a sensitive subject as the passage of time. Through these ‘visual quotations,’ which reveal—through the recovery of memory in relation to the present—the thoughts and emotions of the generation that shaped us, the young scholars convey a powerful artistic message of solidarity and respect for a generation that protected us and in whose wake we follow.

The visual testimonies displayed on the exhibition walls may also serve as a premise for understanding the future of these scholars, since the observations, attitudes, and concerns of today’s young artists will influence their ways of thinking and understanding and will ultimately contribute to shaping and defining their own artistic careers.”

The classical music recital opening the exhibition features works by Astor Piazzolla, Frédéric Chopin, Giacomo Puccini, Joe Henderson, Johann Strauss, Bedřich Smetana, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Ennio Morricone, performed by scholars Alexandra Barbosa – oboe; Teodora Boloca – viola; Raluca Ciula – clarinet; Julia Coteanu – cello; Irina Petrescu – piano; Iasmina Sava – piano; Isabela Stănescu – voice; Iurie Surguciov – cello; Claudiu Șutu – saxophone; Teodora Todoran – violin; and Emilia Tudorache – voice. Special guests: Monica Coteanu – piano and Patricia Coteanu – violin.

The Jurnal de Viață event is part of a series of initiatives through which 30 talented young visual artists and musicians at the beginning of their careers are promoted and supported throughout 2023 for their artistic development and expression by The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation and its partners. Many of the projects presented to the public convey a social message connected to the context and challenges of today’s society, expressed through artistic acts.

Profilele bursierilor care expun lucrări în cadrul expoziției Jurnal de Viață, precum și ale celor care vor susține recitalul, pot fi consultate here.

Program partner:: Kaufland România

Program sponsors: Kultho, Oskar, Dedeman, PEPCO, PSC Group, Sofmedica, Enayati Medical City, Casa Siqua, Easy Print Services, Foto Experience, Emotion Philms.

Program Media Partners: TVR, Radio România Muzical, Radio România Cultural, Radio Trinitas, RFI România, Magic FM, Agerpres, Forbes, Forbes Life, Revista BIZ, Revista CARIERE, Historia, Zile și Nopți, Revista Cultura, The Institute, Radio Clasic, Phoenix Media, Nine O’Clock, Societatea Muzicală, Insight TAROM, IQads, SMARK, The Diplomat, Financial Intelligence, MediaTrust România, Zenith România.

Institutional Partners: Muzeul Municipiului București – Casa Filipescu-Cesianu

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About the Young Talents Program

Many talented children come from families whose financial means do not allow them to pursue their talent. As a result, Romania loses dozens of talented young people every year who could otherwise become cultural ambassadors. The national Young Talents program was launched in 2008 with the aim of supporting and promoting talented young artists from low-income families who need financial assistance to reach their true potential and express their talent. What differentiates the Young Talents program from other scholarship initiatives is its holistic approach, centered on the development and affirmation of these emerging artists. In addition to financial support, the young participants receive guidance from valuable mentors, training through masterclasses, and significant promotion opportunities, all of which create a launching platform for their artistic careers. Young Talents has been recognized as the best Arts and Culture program in Romania, winning awards at the Civil Society Gala in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2022, and receiving second place in the same category in 2019. More details are available at www.tineretalente.org. The national Young Talents program is supported by partners and sponsors, as well as through donations made by SMS to 8864 with the text ARTĂ, through which the public can donate €4 monthly to support scholarships for talented young artists and Romania’s artistic future.

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About The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation

The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation was established in 1990 by King Michael I of Romania and Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown. With 33 years of activity, the Foundation supports children, young people, and elderly people through sustainable interventions based on the exchange of experience and values between generations. Over time, the Foundation has been involved in numerous social, cultural, educational, and artistic talent support projects. More details are available on its official website.

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About the Bucharest Municipality Museumști

The Muzeul Municipiului București is a pavilion museum in Bucharest, bringing together nine museums and memorial houses currently open to visitors. Its locations include: Palatul Suțu (2 I.C. Brătianu Blvd.), Casa Filipescu-Cesianu (Calea Victoriei 151), Theodor Aman Museum (8 C.A. Rosetti St.), George Severeanu Museum (26 Henri Coandă St.), Victor Babeș Museum (14A Andrei Mureșanu St.), “Amiral Vasile Urseanu” Astronomical Observatory (21 Lascăr Catargiu Blvd.), “Prof. Dr. Nicolae Minovici” Museum of Folk Art (1 Dr. Nicolae Minovici St.), Frederic Storck and Cecilia Cuțescu Storck Art Museum (16 Vasile Alecsandri St.), and the Ligia and Pompiliu Macovei Art Collection (36–38 11 Iunie St.). MMB is an informational, cultural, and educational hub and an active center of a network of organizations, serving as a landmark for Bucharest’s cultural communities, as well as for the academic and scientific environment. More details are available at www.muzeulbucurestiului.ro.