Moldovan Artist Mark Verlan Dies at 57

Moldovan artist Mark Verlan, known by many names including Marioka Son of Rain, died in Chişinău at age 57 from a heart attack on the eve of the new year. Verlan, born in 1963, was a multifaceted figure whose identities reflected Moldova's bilingualism and local naming customs. His many names—Marioca fiul ploii, Marioca sin dozhdea, Marc, Maric, Marik—were either given, chosen, or derived from cultural preferences. The article, published by ARTMargins Online in June 2021, was written by Octavian Eşanu and explores Verlan's life and artistic legacy.