Painter Laurentiu Dimisca’s Creative Studio
Painter Laurentiu Dimisca is known internationally as an unconventional promoter of fine arts.
Luana Pleşea, 22.02.2014, 14:02
Oainter Laurentiu Dimiscas own works have been displayed in prestigious international events, while in his native Romania he staged large-scale outsider art events. His latest project is a creative studio located on the 1st floor of the Tandarica Animation Theatre in central Bucharest. This is the first gallery in Romania and this part of Eastern Europe that specialises in outsider art, New Figuration, naïve art, folk art, visionary art, schizophrenic art, Raw Vision and contemporary art from around the world. Art critic Marius Tita explains:
Marius Tita: “The creative studio founded by Laurentiu Dimisca in Bucharest may be considered the headquarters of outsider art in these parts of Europe. Laurentiu Dimisca has been known for a while as a promoter and talented producer of outsider art. He is himself a painter and a graduate of the High School for Fine Arts and the Fine Arts University, not to mention that he also holds a PhD degree from the Arts University in Cluj Napoca. The creative studio he has founded is a continuation of the great exhibitions Laurentiu Dimisca held in Bucharest, at the Parliament Palace and the Museum of the Romanian Peasant. It is also a permanent centre where visitors can find out more about outsider art, come in contact with producers of outsider art whose works are part of notable collections in France and attend events dedicated to all these forms of art that are outside the boundaries of mainstream art. Outsider art is a type of art that defies all conventions. It implies complete openness on the side of artists who choose this art form to express himself or herself.”
The creative studio founded by Laurentiu Dimisca is the realisation of one of his dearest dreams, that of creating an international centre for fine arts. Laurentiu Dimisca himself told us more:
Laurentiu Dimisca: “I even bought an old school building near Piatra Neamt to host this centre. I changed my mind, however, and instead decided that I would first assemble the collection over time, through exhibitions and other events. So here I am today, having my own studio in the centre of Bucharest, in a superb venue, the Tandarica Theatre. The place is open for everybody, but people who wish to see the temporary and permanent exhibitions, as well as my own collection, are advised to call ahead of time to make sure I’m there. The permanent collection includes works belonging to the foundation, while the temporary collection features works that are only displayed for a short period, such as the works being part of the third edition of the International Outsider Art Salon, which are currently on display. Our next temporary exhibition features the self-taught artist Aurel Cogealac, followed by Mimi Revencu, again a self-taught painter herself. In the run-up to the International Women’s Day on 8th March, I‘m planning to launch a collection of jewellery together with the artist Andra Margine. The works will later be shown at the Village Museum, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant and the National Library. Each new exhibition will feature different artists. We will also hold a seminar for outsider art, now in its second year. My intention this year is to hold solo exhibitions of outsider and contemporary art.”
The painters Laurentiu Dimisca, Aurel Cogealac and Mimi Revencu and the photographers Andrei Baciu and Sorin Onisor, as well as the National Village Museum in Bucharest were the special guests of an exhibition entitled “Romania between Tradition and Modernity” held by the Romanian Consulate in the French city of Lyon last autumn. Laurentiu Dimisca explains that the creative studio he has founded provides visitors with the chance to become acquainted with outsider art:
Laurentiu Dimisca: “Apart from giving people the rare chance of visiting an artist’s studio and even watch artists at work, the project also has an educational purpose. My plan is to introduce children and adults to painting and stimulate their creativity and imagination. I have done something similar in France, where I was involved in a number of outsider art festivals and worked with over 300 children from nine different nursery schools in Pays d’Auvergne. I also helped organise the Itineraires Singulaires festival in Dijon for people with disabilities, so I have a lot of experience working with people with problems such as alcoholics and people suffering from schizophrenia. It’s all about the relationship between the artist and the public, in this case people who have never worked with an artist before. My approach is optimistic and I have some beautiful projects to stimulate creativity and imagination.”
Around 300 works are currently on display in Laurentiu Dimisca’s studio. Most of the 50 artists who created them are French, thanks to the cooperation with the Association for the Promotion of Contemporary Folk Art in France. There are also works by Romanian, African, Cuban, Argentinean and Norwegian artists. As for Laurentiu Dimisca’s own artistic production, some of his latest works go on display this spring in The Hague, at the famous Carre d’Artistes gallery, a brand that has galleries and stores around the world. What is unusual about these galleries is that the exhibiting artists are required to contribute small size works that any buyer can afford. Regardless of who the artist is, the price does not differ from one piece to another.
