Mihaela Moldovan (Vezentan)
Born in Baia Mare, Mihaela Moldovan (Vezentan) lives and works in Bucharest. Since 2002 she has been a member of the ~28 group, dedicated to the exploaration of the representation and experiences of women in art through actions presented in Buchares. She has been a memeber of UAP since 2005.
Maramureș Residency
20 June – 20 July
About Săcel
During the few days we spent in Săcel, we visited Mecleș’s mill which dates back to the end of the 19th century and is composed of two mills, a windmill and a wool processing machine, all set in motion only by the power of the Iza river water known as the Blue Izorul of the Izei. The wool-processing machine is of German origin, popularly called “fosălăi”, has been in operation since 1905.
The wooden churches also caught my attention, and the mountain landscapes both fascinated and inspired me.
I attended the workshop on painting with natural dyes held by Florica Zaharia and Irina Petroviciu, where I learned a lot of details about plants and insects that color each in different ways and at certain temperatures.
We also witnessed the construction of the brick and clay kiln and the vertical loading of the works made by fellow artists and village children. For the work I did in residence I drew inspiration from the component pieces of the loom. I helped to set up an old loom and so came up with the idea of breaking down and recomposing the pieces in a different form. The cochletes (or wefts) are handmade from cotton thread and create a hypnotic web of yarn. I reproduced these strands on a much larger scale, using wood salvaged from a demolished outbuilding and thick hemp twine. I wanted to capitalize on the resources already present in the area, as I am deeply committed to the principles of sustainability. The peasant lifestyle embraces a harmony with nature, where nothing is wasted and every object finds a new use. This traditional practice not only protects the environment, but also maintains a genuine link with our cultural values.
Artists for Artists Residency Network (AFAR) is an EU co-funded and co-funded by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund, project and residency program, aiming to improve the mobility of contemporary visual artists and curators in Romania, Germany, Croatia, and Austria. The project is led by the Romanian Association for Contemporary Art (ARAC) with its three consortium partners – Goethe Institute Network, Croatian Association of Fine Artists, and Künstlerhaus Vienna.
The AFAR Network project is co-funded by the European Union: ”Views and opionions expressed are however those of the autohor(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsable for them.”