Mihai Olos Retrospective at MNAC Central Explores Wood, Knots, and Romanian Modernism

At the Palace of Parliament, MNAC Central in Bucharest is hosting 'The Ephemerist,' a retrospective dedicated to the Romanian artist Mihai Olos (1940–2015). The first phase, which runs from 10 November to 26 March, features around 400 pieces created between the late 1960s and the 2000s, including wood sculptures, ceramics, and paintings. Olos, an influential artist and poet, often expressed his affinity for wood, calling it 'warmth and tolerance and extinction.' The exhibition's name alludes to the surveillance files maintained on him by the secret police prior to 1989. A significant theme is the knot, drawing inspiration from peasant traditions. The second phase, scheduled from 27 April to 8 October, will emphasize drawings and documentary materials, showcasing Olos's connection to late Modernism during Romania's postwar challenges.