Ion Grigorescu Reflects on His Cryptic Body Art and Political Happenings Under Ceaușescu
In a 2009 conversation, Romanian artist Ion Grigorescu reflected on his artistic journey from the Communist era of the 1970s to his current acclaim. During Nicolae Ceaușescu's rule, he orchestrated covert political events, notably the film "Dialogue with Ceaușescu" (1978). His performances, which centered on the body, remained largely hidden due to censorship, prompting him to retreat in the 1980s. Following 1990, he received recognition through exhibitions in cities like Bucharest, Timișoara, Venice, Vienna, and Amsterdam. Grigorescu expressed discontent with curators who prioritize trends over his public works, underscoring his affinity for live performances. He acknowledged varied interpretations of his art and recent explorations into dream diaries and agricultural resilience. The interview was led by art historian Ileana Pintilie, a recipient of the 1994 National Award.
Key facts
- Ion Grigorescu is a Romanian painter and media artist active since the early 1970s.
- He created secret political happenings during Ceaușescu's regime, including "Dialogue with Ceaușescu" (1978).
- His body art performances from the 1970s were documented with photos and 8mm films using superimposed circular lenses.
- Censorship forced his withdrawal from public life in the 1980s, keeping much of his work underground.
- After 1990, he returned with exhibitions and happenings in cities like Bucharest, Timișoara, Venice, Vienna, and Amsterdam.
- Grigorescu prefers live performances for their present-moment experience, akin to life itself.
- He criticized curators for focusing on fashionable trends and ignoring his public work from the 1970s and post-1990 period.
- Recent projects include dream diaries and a catalogue for an exhibition on agriculture and poverty resilience.
Entities
Artists
- Ion Grigorescu
- Ileana Pintilie
- Ion Frunzetti
- Coriolan Babeți
- Nuno Faria
- Anders Kreuger
- Ilie Pavel
- Ruxandra Balaci
- Marco Scotini
- Kathrin Rhomberg
Institutions
- MAC
- Artra
- ARTMargins
Locations
- Bucharest
- Timișoara
- Venice
- Vienna
- Amsterdam
- Warsaw
- Milan
- Romania
- Italy
- Austria
- Netherlands
- Poland