THE INTERNATIONAL
MINI PRINT BIENNIAL GRAPHIUM - 2006, 2nd EDITION
Following
the success of the first edition, held 2 years ago, premises were
created for continuing this international event. There were 394
works received from 157 artists from 30 countries. 66 out of these
were not selected for exhibition, for they did not respect the
rules of the project. The biennial Graphium encourages the traditional
techniques of engraving; computer-designed works or by other experimental
interventions are not admitted. The works of 23 artists were totally
rejected.
I would like to thank all participants at this project, the guests
of honour, the members of the jury, as well as the supporting
institutions, the sponsors and the media partners. Nevertheless,
I would like to thank Mrs. Ana Subi, Mr. Johannes Wolf, Dan Rosca,
Adrian Manta, Tiberiu Lupu, Andrei Medinski and Razvan Gavrila
for their help and support.
Ciprian Chirileanu - Graphium curator
The
International Mini Print Biennial GRAPHIUM - Timisoara 2006
Being
at its second edition and more and more represented, the GRAPHIUM
Biennial of small engraving - Timisoara 2006, is, with no doubt,
a cultural success of present-day Timisoara. Engraving artists, notable presences from all over the world,
honoured this new edition. There were 157 participant artists
from almost 30 countries, enriching this event with more than
400 works. The graphic creations, minutely-made, in the traditional
and modern engraving techniques. As a consequence, the jury's
task was not by all means easy. The art and the technique of the engraving were and remain forever
young. That is opened towards the new. Even more as nowadays,
the art of engraving abounds in new instruments, methods and techniques.
You wonder, many times, how much of it is art and how much of
it technique. Or, maybe, better said, how much of it is ink, paper,
mind, soul? Should we call it sentiment? Well, that on the one
hand. However, on the other hand, the need of communication and
of affirmation of the engraving artist remain as lively as at
its beginnings. And then, at last, but not least, the intellectual
and the emotional condition of the viewer matter, of course, still
as much. (the status of art lover is of the same importance of
course, as well as, we believe, that of vague consumer, more or
less aware).
Anyway, lots of visual symbols are spoilt in this saloon, in various
linear configurations and not only, setting themselves up in alternative
plastic constructs. Dressed up in black (velvet) or in chromes
(discreet). With certitude, artistic creations that can satisfy
in a major part, almost any aesthetical exigencies.
In the end, thinking of the dimensional component of the works,
we can say that, the so-called small engraving, is not at all
lesser than the other elder art-sisters. For monumentality is
given by the relation between the parts and not by the nominal,
effective dimension of the work. It is the classic case of Alberto
Giacometti, sculptor who transported his monumental works to an
exhibition in a matchbox. Still, parodying in a way, we may remark
a well-known thing today by the whole world, that is strong, rare
and implicitly precious essences, are always kept in small recipients.
A thing thoroughly proved by this exhibition.
Andrei
Medinski
Organizers:
The Fine Artist's Union from Romania, Timisoara branch Graphium Studio
International
jury:
Remo Giatti, graphic artist, the President (Italy)
Nora Novak, graphic artist, member (Romania)
Constantin Catargiu, graphic artist, member (Romania)
Ovidiu Petca, graphic artist, member (Romania)
Livius Ilea, art critic, member (Romania)
Jakabhazi Alexandru, graphic artist, member (Romania)
Italian Department West University Timisoara
