Doi Joi, now in its fifth edition, proposes today, June 9, a new cultural circuit that includes 11 contemporary art spaces: Sandwich Offspace, Mobius Gallery, VAGon, The Institute Space, IOMO Gallery, Rotenberg-Uzunov Gallery, / SAC @ Malmaison, Cabinet 44, Galeria Posibilă, Cazul 101, Anca Poterașu Gallery.
The Doi Joi project, launched in February this year, takes place on the second Thursday of each month. The art-consuming public can enjoy in one evening an extended program of visiting (6.00-10.00 p.m.) several exhibition spaces in Bucharest which, on the occasion of this endeavor, prepare a series of special events: openings, screenings, artist talks, guided tours or happenings.
Catinca Tăbăcaru, the initiator of the project, talked to Empower regarding the emergence and impact of the cultural project Doi Joi.
How did the Doi Joi project come about?
Doi Joi arose from the desire to collaborate, to make the art scene in Bucharest an active community, more visible and attractive both locally and internationally.
When I moved the headquarters of the Catinca Tabacaru Gallery from New York to Bucharest in 2020, I realized the substantial differences between the American contemporary art audience and the one here. While in New York, dozens of people enter your gallery every day, including collectors and curators, in Bucharest it seems that everything is more on the principle of everyone for themselves.
I realized that no one will come to Bucharest for a single gallery or for the few Romanian art galleries that participate in international fairs and exhibitions. In addition, the Bucharest public needs to be attracted with a little more effort, and the idea of creating a community is what can bring more visitors, new initiatives, a different breath of the city, and create the feeling that you are part of something. That is how the idea came about. Then, together with Daniela Pălimariu from Sandwich, I initiated the proposal for several art spaces in Bucharest.
We thought that the next Thursday of each month would offer something to see to the public interested in art: an extensive visiting program (6.00-10.00 p.m.), openings, special events, and happenings, all in the same evening, promoted and communicated in unison.
What are the participation criteria?
Doi Joi is an inclusive and free approach. Any art space wishing to participate may join without restrictions on the nature of the space, program, portfolio, or activity background. These are the places that create the positive and specific energy in Bucharest. In addition, the included spaces are not required to participate in each edition but are free to propose events on each occasion of Doi Joi.
How was the Doi Joi project received by the Romanian artistic community?
So far we are glad that the project was welcomed with openness by most of the actors on the local cultural scene. From contemporary art galleries like Nicodim, Suprainfinit to artist-run spaces like Cazul 101 or institutions like the Goethe Institute and alternative spaces like the Rezidența BRD Scena9, they all felt like they were joining in a common approach that would lead to an increase in the local art scene as a whole, putting aside the competitive spirit and individualism.
What about the audience?
Doi Joi started in February 2022 and today we are already in the fifth edition. The public was always present in large numbers, and most visitors tell us how they have made an itinerary to visit as many spaces as possible in the same evening. It is nice to know that you are bringing fresh energy to the art scene in Bucharest and that people are taking part in a new dynamic.
What are the perspectives for the future?
We hope that the project will become part of the collective consciousness of the people of Bucharest, something that you put on your calendar every month with the certainty that you will have something to see. With each edition to grew, gain momentum, and with it the Romanian art scene.
Free admission.
THE PROGRAM OF THIS EDITION JUNE 9TH:
Openings:
• Sandwich Offspace: Exhibition opening State of Emergency Opening. FOG, group exhibition: Dasha Chekushkova, Diana Khailova, Borys Kashapov, Olena Pronkina, Uliana Shchabel. Curator: Lesia Kulchinska
Location: Malmaison (Calea Plevnei 137c, building B), 2nd floor
• Mobius Gallery: Exhibition opening Washing the guilt away, solo show Cătălin Bădărău
Location: str. Dumbrava Roșie, no. 18
• VAGon: The Somatist, the Entropist & the Skeptic: launch of Art Clinical Tests
Location: Malmaison (Calea Plevnei 137c, building B)
• The Institute space: Exhibition opening Art In Progress – Adorable Velcro, group exhibition
Location: Combinatul Fondului Plastic
• IOMO Gallery: Exhibition opening All day I dream, solo show Julia Haumont
Location: Combinatul Fondului Plastic
• Rotenberg-Uzunov Gallery: Exhibition opening Artmonkey
Location: Constantin Esarcu street, no. 1
Special events:
• / SAC @ Malmaison: VR installation
Location: Malmaison (Calea Plevnei 137c, building B)
• Cabinet 44: “Cabinet Case #2 – Virginia Toma: Pasaje-adevăr”
Location: Malmaison (Calea Plevnei 137c, building B)
• Galeria Posibilă: Film Screening – Dracula (1931), the first screening of Bram Stoker’s novel.
Location: Popa Petre street, no. 6
Extended program:
• Cazul 101: Show me a better way, solo show Joachim Perez
Location: Malmaison (Calea Plevnei 137c, building B)
• Anca Poterașu Gallery: Zoom In, Zoom Out, solo show Iulian Bisericaru
Location: str. Popa Soare, no. 6
