Albania's Contemporary Art Scene: From Tirana to the Riviera
The contemporary art landscape in Albania is flourishing, especially in Tirana, where the population has surged to 610,070. Urban renewal efforts were spearheaded by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is also an artist. Notable institutions include T.I.C.A., established in 2008, which oversees the Tirana Biennale and the A.I.R. residency, and recently announced the finalists for the Young Visual Artists Award – ARDHJE 2016: Donika Çina, Lek M. Gjeloshi, Matilda Odobashi, and Driant Zeneli. Both the Zeta Art Center & Gallery and Tirana Art Center were launched in 2007. On September 28, Tirana Art Lab unveiled 'Downside Up,' while the National Gallery of Art featured Oltsen Gripshi on October 5. Promenade Gallery showcases artists from the Albanian Riviera, and Art House opened in Shkodër in 2015. Anila Rubiku gained international acclaim for her work at the 2012 Kyiv Biennale.
Key facts
- Albania has a population of nearly 3 million, with 30% under 18.
- Tirana has 610,070 inhabitants and is one of Europe's largest municipalities by area.
- Prime Minister Edi Rama is also an artist and former mayor of Tirana.
- T.I.C.A. announced finalists for Young Visual Artists Award – ARDHJE 2016 on October 7.
- Finalists: Donika Çina, Lek M. Gjeloshi, Matilda Odobashi, Driant Zeneli.
- Tirana Art Lab opened 'Downside Up' on September 28 with Arbër Elezit, Lori Lakos, Igli Marionit.
- Miza was founded in 2012 by three female artists as a non-profit space.
- M.A.M. was founded in 2013 by actress Ema Andrea and performance artist Klod Dedja.
- National Gallery of Art opened Oltsen Gripshi's solo show 'Anthropo – Phenomenology' on October 5.
- Promenade Gallery on the Albanian Riviera represents international and local artists.
- Art House in Shkodër opened in 2015 by Adrian Paci.
- Anila Rubiku exhibited at the 2012 Kyiv Biennale.
- Ludwig Museum Budapest hosted 'The Whale That Was A Submarine' featuring 26 artists.
Entities
Artists
- Donika Çina
- Lek M. Gjeloshi
- Matilda Odobashi
- Driant Zeneli
- Arbër Elezit
- Lori Lakos
- Igli Marionit
- Silva Agostini
- Oltsen Gripshi
- Anila Rubiku
- Armando Lulaj
- Endri Dani
- Helidon Gjergji
- Alban Hajdinaj
- Ardian Isufi
- Ilir Kaso
- Olson Lamaj
- Violana Murataj
- Remijon Pronja
- Anri Sala
- Gentian Shkurti
- Fani Zguro
- Rosa Barba
- Yael Bartana
- Pipilotti Rist
- Adrian Isufi
- Alkan Nallbani
- Adrian Paci
- Giovanni de Lazzari
- Willie Doherty
- Pierpaolo Campanini
- Edi Hila
- Petrit Halilaj
- Regina José Galindo
- Sislej Xhafa
- Edi Muka
- Ema Andrea
- Klod Dedja
- Klodian Deda
- Yllka Gjollesha
- Greta Pllana
- Leonard Qylafi
- Alketa Ramaj
- Marina Sula
- Ermela Teli
- Enkelejd Zonja
Institutions
- T.I.C.A. – Tirana Institute of Contemporary Art
- Biennale di Tirana
- A.I.R. residency program
- Zeta Art Center & Gallery
- Tirana Art Center
- Tirana Art Lab
- Miza
- M.A.M. – Multidisciplinary Arts Movement
- FAB Gallery
- Università delle Arti di Tirana
- Galeria Kombetare e Arteve (National Gallery of Art)
- Promenade Gallery
- Art House
- Ludwig Museum Budapest
- A.C.A.S. – Albanian Contemporary Artist Salon
- Museo di Storia Nazionale di Tirana
- Isisuf – Istituto Internazionale di Studi sul Futurismo di Milano
- Artribune
Locations
- Albania
- Tirana
- Shkodër
- Durrës
- Budapest
- Hungary
- Austria
- France
- Kosovo
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Greece
- Adriatic Sea
- Ionian Sea
- Blloku district
- Palazzo della Piramide di Tirana
- Albanian Riviera
- Kyiv
- Ukraine