The events of the 8th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland are about to kick off. The biennial’s opening ceremony, awards gala, and accompanying events will take place between October 9 and 11 in Miercurea Ciuc and Sfântu Gheorghe.
On Wednesday, October 9, at 5:00 PM, the series of biennial events will begin in Miercurea Ciuc at the Szekler Museum of Ciuc with the exhibition opening of students from Partium Christian University in Oradea. The Crossroads exhibition offers a glimpse into the works of students from the Visual Arts – Graphic Design BA and Visual Communication MA programs at Partium Christian University in Oradea. Visitors can explore the intersection and dialogue between the works of students specialising in Graphic Design and Animation. The exhibition will be opened by Iréne Kányádi, PhD, an art historian and lecturer at Partium Christian University.
Following this, on Wednesday, October 9, at 6:00 PM, the opening of the 8th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland will take place at the Szekler Museum of Ciuc. The event will be inaugurated by Apor S. Ferencz, the biennial’s curator, and art historian Eszter Túros.
The 8th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland invited visual interpretations addressing the significance of balance and the questions surrounding its absence, focusing on how artistic intention reflects the social role of the image through the creator’s attitude. Organisers welcomed submissions from all artists who aim to renew contemporary graphic techniques while conveying messages for the future, holding up a critical mirror to society through the possible responses generated. (A. S. F.)
A total of 926 artists submitted 2,046 entries from 68 countries in response to the call for submissions. The exhibitions will showcase the works deemed best by the professional jury, featuring contributions from 111 creators across 27 countries in Miercurea Ciuc. The biennial’s exhibitions in Miercurea Ciuc will be open to the public until December 31.
Events in Sfântu Gheorghe
On October 10 (Thursday) at 5:00 PM, the biennial’s series of events in Sfântu Gheorghe will begin with the opening of the exhibition by Nastazja Ciupa (PL), the grand prize winner of the 7th Szeklerland Graphic Art Biennial, at the Arcaded House. In the exhibition titled My Non-Places, the artist seeks to explore the phenomenon of transience and emptiness through the grey blocks of abandoned Silesian factories and old mines that remain in her surroundings. Over time, these grey masses are transformed by the imagination into heavy forms and structures, creating new visual solutions in space and time. An opening speech will be given by Iréne Kányádi, PhD, an art historian. The exhibition will be open for visits until October 30.
Following this, on October 10 (Thursday) at 7:00 PM, the exhibition titled An Iceberg of One’s Own by Ferenc Gróf and Zsófia Gyenes will open at MAGMA Contemporary Art Space. Noémi Bíró, a doctoral candidate at the Philosophy Doctoral School of Babeș-Bolyai University, will officiate the opening. After the opening, Ferenc Gróf will conduct a guided tour.
On Friday, October 11, at 6:00 PM, the Sfântu Gheorghe opening ceremony and awards gala of the 8th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland will take place at the Transylvanian Art Centre, showcasing 140 works by 137 artists from 28 countries. The event will be opened by Apor S. Ferencz, the curator of the biennial, and art historian Ágnes Képíró. The exhibition will be open to the public until November 30.
The 8th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland is being organised jointly by the councils of Covasna, Harghita, and Mureș counties, together with the Covasna County Cultural Centre, the Szekler Museum of Ciuc, the Cultural and Art Centre of Lăzarea, and the Mureș County Museum.
Further details can be found on the official website of the biennial at www.gbiennial.ro, as well as on the event’s Facebook and Instagram pages.