This year, the second edition of the MoBU contemporary art fair will open its doors in the capital of Romania between May 29th and June 2nd 2024.
The event will be packed with guided tours, concerts and various cultural activities. We sat down with Demetra Arapu, MoBU’s director, to talk about what we can expect to see at the fair.
Sylwia Krason: After the success of the first edition, what feedback did you receive from participants and visitors that has influenced the planning of the second edition of MoBU?”
Demetra Arapu: After the successful launch of MoBU in 2023, we gathered feedback from both participants and visitors. They highly appreciated everything interactive and our side events that provided opportunities for engagement. As a result, we are continuing in 2024 with workshops, interactive installations, and artist-audience dialogues to provide an experience for the public. Last year, the venue received praise for its layout and atmosphere, but thus year we are going for bigger and closer to the city center. We’ve expanded our floor plan and we are making the best of the circular restructured layout for better flow between sections, ensuring each exhibit is easily accessible and well-lit. Also, we are keeping the improved accessibility for differently-abled individuals, including ramps. In terms of artist representation, we desire a broader presence of artists from varied cultural and artistic backgrounds. We are proud to feature a more diverse lineup of artists from China, Japan, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and the UK, showcasing a wide range of contemporary art practices. Participants highlighted the importance of engaging younger audiences and fostering an appreciation for contemporary art among new generations, so we are supporting the new generation of artists (art students in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi and Timisoara) counting on them to speak the Gen Z speak. These insights from our community of artists, participants, and visitors have been instrumental in crafting an even more ambitious and inclusive second edition of MoBU. We are excited to deliver an enriched experience that builds on our successes and addresses the constructive feedback of our valued community.
SK: Last year, the highlight of the fair was the solo presentation of 120 artworks by 94-year-old Daniel Spoerri, prepared in collaboration with Levy Galerie from Switzerland. What is the standout highlight of this year’s fair?
D.A.: MoBU2024 is relying this year almost solely on the creation and inspiration powers of the exhibitors. The returning ones are more demanding on themselves, their offer on display is more edited than last year. New comers at MoBU are bringing aboard their own best practices- and, we salute, for instance the impeccable presence of out Polish guests from Ikikata Art.
SK: Could you provide more insight into the art scene in Bucharest and Romania overall? With internationally renowned Romanian artists like Adrian Ghenie, Mircea Cantor, and Dan Perjovschi, which other Romanian artists should be on the radar of international collectors?
D.A.: We are happy to reunite works by Romanian artists across various categories: heritage artists known for their historical significance, contemporary artists both established and independent, young contemporary artists who are early in their careers, and street artists – to fully illustrate the diversity and richness of Romanian art from recent past to present. To name a few:
Heritage Romanian Artists: Nicolae Tonitza, Alexandru Ciucurencu, Gheorghe Petrașcu, Iosif Iser, Ștefan Dimitrescu, Corneliu Baba, Francisc Șirato; then: contemporary Romanian artists of already international acclaim: Ion Grigorescu, Ioan Nemțoi, Olimpiu Bandalac, Ecaterina Vrana, Francisc Chiuariu, Eugen Raportoru, Lilian Theil, Răzvan Boar, Simion Cernica, Obie Platon. Finally, the independents like Anca Boeriu, Cătălin Burcea, Raluca Ilaria Demetrescu, 1 Q Sapro, Aurel Tar, Mihai Zgondoiu, Bela Zoltan, Diana Serghiuța, Ilina Schileru, Mircea Modreanu, and the young and very young: Ioana Cristodorescu, Bogdan Matei, Andrei Neciu, Emma Păvăloaia, Beaver, David Poduț, Andrei Pennazio, Arina Bican, Teona Toderel, Alex Baciu. Also let us not forget street artists who descend on canvas or relatively smaller medium, thise present at MoBU are AEUL, RAID, ATOMA.
As critic and curator Horea Avram said: ”MOBU is, as we already know, the place where collectors, experts, and of course, the general public encounter the most diverse expressions of contemporary art, from traditional approaches, to visual experiments and artistic research. Remarkably, MOBU has the openness and flexibility to include in its program artist-run spaces, art faculties, a series of round tables and artist talks, as well as video screenings and performative activities.”
SK: Could you share more about the collaboration between MoBU and the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, considering the rich artistic tradition and innovative practices stemming from the school? How does this collaboration enrich the artistic landscape showcased at MoBU?
D.A.: The collaboration between MoBU and the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca is a significant cultural partnership whee we want to leverage the Cluj-Napoca’s art school tradition, and their local innovative practices by showcasing their talent and nurtured skills. In practice, we have given all participating universities a card blanche to display their best. The University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca is known for producing talented artists who often bring fresh perspectives and innovative techniques. Through this collaboration, MoBU provides a platform for the emerging artists in Cluj to gain visibility and recognition on a larger scale, and the current student exhibitions and participation enable young artists to present their works alongside established names, in an environment of mentorship and inspiration.
SK: I visited MoBU last year and noticed that Bucharest has many artists-run studios and grassroots initiatives, and the art scene is booming. This year, you invited ALIAJ—Bucharest’s Artist-Run Spaces Alliance. Can you explain ALIAJ and how it will collaborate with the MoBU fair?
D.A.: This MoBU – ALIAJ collaboration enhances the fair by injecting grassroots creativity and diverse artistic voices, amplifying the richness and dynamism of Bucharest’s booming art scene, of course. As you know, ALIAJ, Bucharest’s Artist-Run Spaces Alliance, is a collaborative network of five dynamic art spaces: ALERT Studio, Atelier 030202, Diptych Art Space, ETAJ artist-run space, and MNȚRplusC. Its main aim is to pool resources and creative energies to tackle large-scale contemporary art projects that surpass the individual capacities of each space. Also, to note, ALIAJ is by now a ”long time partner”, being present at the fair for the second time.
SK: Finally, I really curious, as the director, what are you personally most excited about for the second edition of MoBU?
D.A.: As the director, I’m particularly excited about our collaboration with all the artists and galleries participating at the second edition of MoBU. I am really proud to be able to offer, through the fair, a birds eye view on a vibrant phenomenon. Working with them not only amplifies our local art scene, but also builds meaningful connections with international audiences. Additionally, I’m thrilled to see how our selection and our events will engage visitors, creating an immersive learning atmosphere, which is based mostly on “conventional” contemporary art, where idea and execution are the main drivers.
