A great exhibition

The National Theater in Bucharest recently surprised us with another cultural gesture, apart from the well-known preoccupations related to the promotion of performances in the halls set up following the extensive reconstruction project of the building in the 70s. On 8 March, a remarkable event was organized in terms of subject, significance and public: the opening of the "duet" exhibition of a selection of paintings, sculptures and drawings by Ion Alin Gheorghiu (1929-2001) and the recent series of twenty-four "Angels" by Vladimir Șetran, a master to whom the National University of Arts recently paid homage on his 80th birthday. The exhibition benefited from the presence of some of the most important opening speakers: acad. prof. prof. dr. dr. arh. Romeo Belea, the author of the project to restore and refurbish the TNB building, Ion Caramitru, the TNB's director general, Anamaria Smighelschi, the wife of the painter Ion Alin Gheorghiu, a renowned graphic artist in her own right, and Andrei Pleșu, in a role which, as he himself admits, he has not practiced for a long time. On this occasion, people learned that the National Theatre in Bucharest is to become a cultural space open from morning to night, where visitors will be offered shows, music, art exhibitions and books.

The works of Ion Alin Gheorghiu are part of the painter's collection - unfortunately not on permanent display, the only exception to the permanent access to the artist's work being the works grouped around the reconstructed studio at the Art Museum in Constanța. The master Vladimir Șetran's serial graphic-painting (or painting-graphic), including pieces dated 2012, combines the magic of colored ducts with working in the preciousness of the material and takes on the "face" of angels.

Present at the opening, clearly saving his once overflowing energy for his daily work in his home studio, Vladimir Șetran declares sententiously: 'Whoever is motivated and has an awareness of reality enjoys himself'. It's an invitation to rediscover two great Romanian artists.