Romanian catalog for Webpage - Flipbook - Page 8
Dan Perjovschi’s outdoor
mural at the Taubman
Museum of Art, 2009
feeling somewhat overshadowed by the artists garnering
attention in the more high-profile city of Bucharest,
the nation’s capital located in southeast Romania.
Despite hailing from a city not as well known within the
international art world, these young artists were eagerly
and aggressively exploring ways to elevate their work onto
the global stage.
Their efforts included developing collectives, galleries,
exhibition sites, and production studios. Perhaps the
determination that drove them was the result of feeling
somewhat provincial compared with their colleagues in
Bucharest. That sense of being outside the mainstream
may have also been fueled by the keen understanding
that if they ever were to be taken seriously in Romania,
they would have to achieve recognition abroad, which
would make it impossible for their accomplishments to be
overlooked in their native Romania. Whatever the impetus,
their efforts paid off, and today many of them are considered
among the top contemporary artists in the world.
At the time, these artists were still relatively unknown, yet
their work undoubtedly had important stories to tell, and
the Arthur Taubman Trust began acquiring a contemporary
Romanian art collection. The Trust relied on the advice of
Nick and Jenny Taubman; their daughter, Lara Taubman,
who had gained a reputation for her expertise in visual
arts; as well as art curator and consultant Jane Neal for
introductions to the artists in Cluj and beyond. Jane is a
leading expert on the contemporary art scene in Eastern
Europe, and serves as this exhibition’s guest curator. The
early patronage of the Arthur Taubman Trust enabled
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some of these artists to forge their reputations, grow their
practices, and build thriving careers.
The last two decades have seen a bustling renaissance
take place in Romanian contemporary art, with the major
figures in sculpture, painting, photography, and new media
emerging onto the global scene — many of whom are
featured in this exhibition. Among those many fine artists
whose work is showcased in Looking Anew and Beyond,
there is one in particular who holds a very special place in
the hearts of our Museum community.
When the Taubman Museum of Art opened its doors in
November 2008, our first muralist was the much-admired
artist and writer Dan Perjovschi. Nine years earlier,
Perjovschi had cemented his international reputation by
representing Romania at the 1999 Venice Biennale, having
earned a respected name in the international art scene
for nearly a decade. We were honored to feature him
as we opened our doors, not only because of his great
talents as an artist, but also because of his collaborative
spirit. Over the years, he has played an active role in
mentoring younger artists — promoting their acceptance
at international institutions and helping them find artist
residencies and opportunities to exhibit their work abroad.
Beyond showcasing some of the world’s foremost
contemporary artists, this exhibition has additional
meaning for our Museum as it comes with the opportunity
to continue our work in a new way with the Taubman
family. The Taubmans are among the strongest advocates
for the arts with whom I have had the pleasure to work.
