In the exhibit, Doina Dascalu presents a poignant portrayal of Romanian history through the iconic Parliament Palace (People’s Palace), commissioned by Nicolae Ceausescu. For me, this architectural marvel symbolizes the daily sacrifices endured by the Romanian people to fulfill the grandiose visions of our communist leaders. As the second-largest building globally, its construction came at a tremendous cost. Doina's photographs offer a revealing glimpse into the intricate architectural elements and lavish materials used, reflecting the turbulent past while also harboring hopes for a brighter future.
I vividly recall my visit to the Palace in the early '90s, guided by one of its architects. Learning about the human sacrifices and extravagant expenses incurred during its construction deeply moved me. It was a poignant reminder of the stark contrast between the opulence of the building and the struggles faced by ordinary Romanians, who often lacked even the most basic necessities.
Doina Dascalu at Meet The Artist event at Artomatic on March 16, 2024
“All our knowledge originates in our perceptions," said Leonardo da Vinci. Science and art are both part of the fabric of life. One speaks to my brain and the other to my soul; I keep both in my heart.
You notice something beautiful every day in nature, hear the music you love, admire a gorgeous sunset you want to keep forever in a photograph, and ask how this is possible: such beauty, so many questions, so much to discover and share.
Yes, I love to share moments of awe, so I take pictures.”
Doina Dascalu
About The Palace of Parliament:
The Palace of Parliament, also known as The House of the Republic or People's Palace, stands proudly in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Designed and overseen by architect Anca Petrescu and a team of 700 architects, this monumental structure took 13 years to complete. Anca Petrescu, appointed chief architect of the project at 28, led the endeavor after winning a prestigious contest.
With a staggering floor area of 3,930,000 square feet, the Palace of Parliament is the world's third-largest administrative building, following the Pentagon in the United States and the Sappaya-Sapasathan in Thailand. Its neoclassical design and lavish interior spanning 23 sections.
Constructed predominantly from Romanian materials, the palace boasts an impressive array of resources. These include 3,500 tonnes of crystal used for 480 chandeliers, 1,409 ceiling lights and mirrors; 700,000 tonnes of steel and bronze for monumental doors, windows, and ornamental elements; 35,000,000 cubic feet of marble and 32,000,000 cubic feet of domestic wood, such as walnut, oak, sweet cherry, elm, and sycamore maple for parquet flooring and wainscotting, and 2,200,000 square feet of woolen carpets, some of which required unique on-site weaving due to their size. The interior is further embellished with velvet and brocade curtains adorned with silver and gold embroideries and passementeries.
The Palace of Parliament was commissioned by the former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, who intended it to serve as his administrative headquarters and a symbol of his regime's power and grandeur.
As of 2020, the Palace of the Parliament is estimated to be worth €4 billion, solidifying its status as the most expensive administrative building globally.
The exhibit is open until April 28. Come and see us at Artomatic, on 2100 M St NW, Washington, DC, #8 floor.
Wed-Thurs: 5:00PM – 9:30PM
Fri-Sat: 12:00PM – 12:00AM
Sun: 12:00PM – 9:00PM
Mon-Tues: Closed
Pandi Dacu, Daniela Kammrath, Doina Dascalu, Andreia Gliga, Mihaela Marin at the Meet The Artist event on March 16, 2024 at Artomatic, Washington, DC