The selection of works presents to the Romanian public some of the artist’s stainless steel sculptures of different sizes, as well as collage lithographs.
The opening will be addressed by Dr. Lucian Nastasă-Kovács, manager of the Cluj-Napoca Art Museum, Prof. Bogdan Iacob, art historian, Thomas Emmerling, the artist’s representative in Romania, gallery owner and collector, Dr. Oana Ionel, curator of the exhibition and prof. amb. Gabriela von Habsburg.
The scenography of Gabriela von Habsburg’s first solo exhibition in a museum in Romania integrates the intermediate empty spaces, defined by the lines of triangles, squares and circles that she uses inside and outside the geometric shapes, the quiet, empathetic, prudent contemplation that reveals what has been fulfilled in the void but, above all, the deeply spiritual experience of recognizing one’s own form in space.
The in-between space (the one around which this exhibition is built) refers to the interstices that give meaning to the whole. Gabriela von Habsburg integrates in her three-dimensional sculptures and lithographs the space in between as an element that gives purpose and meaning. The dialectic of clear geometric forms and the space in between, the notions of presence and absence sharpen the identity and shape her monumental works. The clear lines of his stainless steel sculptures accentuate the contrast of our perception. Stainless steel embodies both the refinement and the strength of the spaces in between.
In works such as “Ilrak” (2019) an important role is played by the audience. The audience’s imagination is animated as the sculptural structures of the works direct and trigger additions. To this extent, they are not just dogmatic new propositions, like those we so often have to experience through the imposing gesture of public monuments. The increased participatory ability of the viewer, as we can experience in the artist’s works installed in public spaces as well as in her smaller sculptures, shows the great empathy of a political artist who deeply emphasizes the human.
Gabriela von Habsburg was born in Luxembourg and is the granddaughter of the last Emperor of Austria. She studied philosophy at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, and art under professors Robert Jacobsen and Eduardo Paolozzi. Gabriela von Habsburg is one of the most important artists of contemporary art and has made formative contributions to the further development of constructive-geometric sculpture. This is evident in sculptures such as “Betasith” at Munich Airport Terminal 2 or “The 5 Continents”, a sculpture in front of the Franke Group in Aarburg (Switzerland) or “The 3 Powers in the State” in front of the Georgian President’s Palace in Tbilisi. The same effect can also be experienced with small and medium format sculptures where, by aligning geometric shapes, treating the steel surface and attaching a space with rods, plates, triangles, perforated surfaces, something new is created that defines a space with the capacity to be visualized and rediscovered depending on the way the sculpture is arranged and the angle from which it is perceived.
We discover in the artist’s work a deeply impressive imperial aesthetic, simple and natural. In her art, an extension of her personality, one finds a responsible and understanding discipline, defined by respect and openness. All this is balanced by the artist in her personal, strong, courageous and thoughtful manner.
Regardless of the geographic space in which Gabriela von Habsburg’s sculptures are located, they speak a universal language, being equally contemporary and timeless. Like her sculptures, the artist does not feel she has a specific national affinity, but rather considers herself to be pan-European.
The exhibition remains open until 30 April 2023.
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