“Monuments In Time,” a large-scale artistic project centered on the work of the visual artist Aurelia Mihai, debuted in August with a two-part exhibition. Curated by Cristina Bută, the exhibition reflects on the evolution of the idea of ​​a monument in the artist’s practice, which is known for her experimental works at the intersection of visual and cinematographic arts.

Artist of Romanian origin, settled in Germany, Aurelia Mihai has been awarded numerous prizes and international scholarships throughout her career for her works that speak about contradictory cultural, social and political phenomena and events. Although her activity is well-known and appreciated on the German scene, the “Monuments In Time” project offers the Romanian public the opportunity to discover or rediscover the work of an internationally renowned artist after her last personal exhibition at MNAC Bucharest in 2009.

Monuments In Time, the first part of the Aurelia Mihai exhibition, was presented at the Goethe Institute, Bucharest (Calea Dorobanti 32), between August 29 and October 10, 2024. It focuses on the idea of ​​the built and historical monument in relation to different themes.

Living Monuments (I and II, 2024) is a new 4-channel installation that represents the second part of the exhibition. It will be presented in the generous space of the Sector 1 Gallery (Băiculesti 29, Bucharest) between September 5 and October 5, 2024. Located between the performance and film, Living Monuments reflects on the invisible connections between people and places by staging “living monuments” in the urban environment.

The two exhibitions are joined by a series of public events at the Goethe Institute, developed by Cristina Bută, Monica Dănilă, Edith Lázár, and Cristina Stoenescu.
The events deepen themes derived from or related to Aurelia Mihai’s works, expanding the exhibition format through talks, presentations or screenings. The series of events will start on September 3, at 7:00 p.m., at the Goethe Institute, with a talk artist entitled “Focus: Aurelia Mihai”. In dialogue with Cristina Bută, the curator of the exhibition, Aurelia Mihai will share with the public the perspectives and experiences that have defined her artistic practice.

The “Monuments In Time” project includes the production of a new video work, “Living Monuments III”, which will be made this fall, in Târgu Jiu, in dialogue with Constantin Brâncusi’s Coloana Infinitului. Continuation of the series created by Aurelia Mihai and named “The Human Clock”, the video work involves 12 performers and uses natural and ecological elements to explore themes related to cosmic and human time. Aurelia Mihai and choreographer Simona Deaconescu designed the choreography.

Aurelia Mihai (b. 1968, Bucharest) is a visual artist and director based in Hamburg. He studied at the National University of Arts in Bucharest and, later, at the Academy of Visual Arts in Düsseldorf and the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne. Between 2009 and 2021, he was a professor at the University of the Arts in Braunschweig. Aurelia Mihai has received numerous awards and scholarships throughout her career, including Villa Aurora (Los Angeles), Villa Massimo German Academy (Rome) and scholarships from IASPIS Stockholm and Stiftung Kunstfonds. His films and video works have been presented in multiple international exhibitions.

“Monuments In Time” is a project co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund – AFCN.