In the shelter of art

10.02.2020

PRESS RELEASE

"Safe from the arts"

MNAR campaign to raise awareness of homelessness

TheNational Art Museum of Romania is launching a new campaign, this time dedicated to raising public awareness of the problems faced by homeless people in the cold season.

Entitled "In the Shelter of Art", the campaign will run from 12-29 February 2020 in partnership with the Samusocial organization from Romania. MNAR aims to draw attention to the vulnerability of homeless people in winter in a unique way through its heritage, encouraging visitors to reflect and offer support to homeless people.

The idea behind the campaign is to draw an unconventional parallel between the sculptures in the museum's Courtyard of Honour and the homeless . But unlike homeless people, who have no income and are often alone, the sculptures are cared for every day. What's more, the materials of these sculptures allow them to withstand harsh weather conditions, while the same conditions can be fatal for homeless people. However, if we stop to admire the sculptures, we all too often pass by the homeless people in a hurry, indifferent or even uncomfortable.

As part of the campaign, sculptures in the MNAR's Courtyard of Honor will become "silent ambassadors" for the cause. To attract attention, small clothing accessories will "warm up" the sculptures, next to which will be information panels about Samusocial's work in Romania and how people can help the homeless.

The campaign's "stylist" is Gianina Corondan, who has chosen the clothing accessories that will "dress" the artworks during this period.

On 12 February, to launch the campaign, MNAR will organize a special area where clothes can be donated, after which all donations will be made directly to the Samusocial Day Centre in 82 Bis Grozăvești, sector 6, Bucharest.

"Art also has the role of raising questions, provoking discussion and making us pay attention to society's problems. The National Art Museum of Romania owns the most important art collection in the country and we want to use it to give a voice to the silent and marginalized, neglected or oppressed. The <<Shelter for Art>> campaign was born out of this very desire." said arh. Liviu Constantinescu, acting MNAR manager.

The "Shelter from the Art" campaign is part of the policy of major museums to take on roles that go beyond their primary functions. Through their socially engaged actions and campaigns, museums can make a real positive contribution to their communities.

About Samusocial Romania

"Samusocial in Romania has a mission to save people. Our target group is homeless adults in Bucharest. However, we do not feel limited in our intervention. We help both those who ask us and those who do not. Those who come to us, but also those our mobile teams find on the street. We help all those in mental or physical distress, without discrimination. Our mission is to make the world a better place!" says Sabina Nicolae, Executive Director of Samusocial Romania.

If you would like to support the Samusocial organization in helping homeless people, visit http://www.samusocial.ro/implica-te/donatii/ for more details.

Further details: comunicare@art.museum.ro

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