Controversial Establishment of Romania's National Museum of Contemporary Art in the Palace of Parliament
In 2004, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC) was inaugurated in Bucharest's Palace of Parliament, a project funded by then-Prime Minister Adrian Năstase, which raised concerns regarding its timing and location prior to elections. The museum utilizes a section of the incomplete structure, which contains extensive unused areas, including a basement spa uncovered in 2005. Security measures limit access, making it less appealing to younger visitors, despite hosting various events. The Romanian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral has raised issues regarding MNAC's curatorial approach. Detractors claim that the term "museum of contemporary art" is contradictory. Director Mihai Oroveanu has organized exhibitions reflecting the building's communist past. By late 2007, MNAC was contemplating a budget increase for local artists in response to critiques of its exhibition selection process.
Key facts
- MNAC opened in 2004 within Bucharest's Palace of Parliament
- Financed secretly by Prime Minister Adrian Năstase
- Building is the second-largest administrative structure globally
- Access restricted by armed guards and security checks
- Inaugural exhibition addressed communist legacy
- Director Mihai Oroveanu leads curatorial projects
- Controversy includes name, location, and timing before elections
- 2005 dispute between Erwin Kessler and Magda Carneci published in 22
Entities
Artists
- Adrian Năstase
- Mihai Oroveanu
- Erwin Kessler
- Magda Carneci
- Rem Koolhaas
- Jean Baudrillard
- Jean Nouvel
- Dana Harhoiu
Institutions
- National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC)
- Palace of Parliament
- House of the Republic
- Romanian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral
- Social-Democrat party
- Romanian Cultural Institute in Paris
- Architecture and City Development University
- ARTMargins
- 22
Locations
- Bucharest
- Romania
- Paris
- France
- Sinaia
- Pentagon
- United States