In the face of rising global tensions, citizens worldwide are mobilizing, denouncing and organizing against the existing system. In this dynamic context, artists assume the role of chroniclers and catalysts of change, using their creativity to highlight social struggles and inspire action. Their work brings injustices to light and encourages dialogue and community engagement, leading collective efforts towards a more just and equitable world. Through their art, they transform outrage into a powerful force for social change, demonstrating the profound impact of creative expression in the fight for justice and equality.
For the Narratives of Now exhibition, curator Liviu Bulea collaborated with eight artists to transform the IAGA Contemporary Art gallery, a traditional space dedicated to commercialising art, into a temporary platform for social expression and critical dialogue. Through this intervention, artists are encouraged to freely explore pressing social issues that concern them, addressing topics from the ecological crisis to political inequities and the need for collective hope. Thus, the conventional gallery space becomes an open stage for protest and awareness, inviting the public to actively participate in the necessary conversations and reflect on their role in the changes that art inspires.
The inspiration comes from the 22nd edition of the SCOPITONE Festival. This exhibition is divided into three thematic chapters: Ecological Revival, Political Transformation and Poetic Ascension. Each chapter explores our collective struggles and aspirations, demonstrating the versatile role of art in society. For the Political Transformation chapter, the artist Hermann Nitsch was selected from the gallery’s portfolio, whose recent passing marked the end of an era but whose influence on the art world remains immense.
Narratives of Now is more than an exhibition; it’s a call to action. The aim of transforming the gallery into a space of artistic and activist convergence is to blur the lines between art and activism. Each chapter invites viewers to engage with the artworks, reflect on their roles in the community and imagine new ways forward. In these uncertain times, art emerges as a vital force for change, capable of shaping a more just, equitable and sustainable future.
The exhibition’s structure in the three chapters – Ecological Revival, Political Transformation and Poetic Ascension – emphasizes the complexity and interdependence of social, ecological and political aspects in the current context. Through this thematic approach, the exhibition explores various ways art can function as a mirror of reality, a tool of social criticism and a source of inspiration. At the same time, these chapters reflect collective aspirations towards a more sustainable world, demonstrating the power of art to transform outrage and suffering into motivations for change, solidarity and dialogue. (Press release)
The “Narrations of Now” exhibition is part of the Digital Journeys event by the French Institute in collaboration with the Scopitone Festival.
