Romania

Romanian At Heart "Nostalgic" exhibit at Artomatic 25 edition in Washington, DC

In celebration of Artomatic's 25th anniversary, the "Romanian At Heart" collective proudly unveils an exhibition titled "Nostalgic," featuring works of seven talented artists from Eastern Europe, representing the vibrant cultures of Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Four talented Romanian artists—Pandi Dacu, Doina Dascalu, Andreia Gliga, and Mihaela (Michelle) Marin—return from our 2017 artshow, bringing with them their latest creations that beautifully capture elements of Romanian history and life. Their latest creations intricately weave together the essence of Romanian history and life, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia and connection.

Joining our talented returning artists are Vasiluta Vasilache from the Republic of Moldova, IraVish from Ukraine, and Kiril Jeliazkov from Bulgaria. Their addition to our collective further enriches the cultural tapestry we aim to present at this iconic DC art show.

Returning to Artomatic after seven years feels like coming home. This time, bringing a diverse array of artists from Eastern Europe will add a unique and captivating dimension to the event, showcasing the richness of our shared heritage and artistic expression.

Pandi Dacu photographs on canvas at Artomatic 25, 8th floor

Pandi Dacu captures candid snapshots of rural life, vividly portraying the raw emotions of her latest visit to a Romanian village. The longing for home is palpable, reminiscent of conversations with village elders that beckon memories of my childhood holidays in rural Romania.

Doina Dascalu photographs on aluminum at Artomatic 25, 8th floor

Doina Dascalu sheds light on an emblematic part of Romanian history with her portrayal of the Parliament Palace (People’s Palace), showcasing the sacrifices made by the Romanian people to realize the dreams of communist leaders. Her revealing pictures offer a glimpse into the intricate architectural details of a tumultuous past, echoing hopes for a brighter future.

Andreia Gliga brings nature and tradition to life, complementing visitors' emotional journeys with clay spoons adorned with Romanian symbols and vibrant botanical paintings celebrating the spirit of Spring.

Mihaela (Michelle) Marin's art invokes joy and a connection to one's inner child with themes, colors, and shapes that inspire playfulness amidst tranquility.

Vasiluta Vasilache paintings on canvas, Artomatic 25, 8th floor

Vasiluta Vasilache's extensive, vibrant paintings, part of her 'Healing Plants' series, reflect her boundless creativity and optimism, starkly contrasting my memories of '90s Chisinau. (Republic of Moldova).

IraVish painting on kilim, Artomatic25, 8th floor

IraVish (Irina Vishnevskaia) (Ukraine) shares a unique piece from the series of paintings on kilim, "Dreams of my Childhood," which aim to preserve the beauty and customs of the Gagauz nation. Her homespun carpets, painted in romantic primitivism, tell stories of tradition and heritage.

Kiril Jeliazkov pantings on canvas, Artomatic25, 8th floor

Kiril Jeliazkov's abstract canvases, born from his belief that art belongs to all and nature is the perfect gallery, use color to evoke emotions and sculpt chaos into harmony. (Bulgaria)

I look forward to seeing you all at the exhibit on the 8th floor.

Don't miss our Meet The Artist Event on Saturday, March 16th, between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm on the 8th floor.

Part of our efforts was to bring artists represented by the Ukraine House in DC; their work is shown in room #7001 on the 7th floor: Serhij Tatchyn, Petro Antyp, and Nina Shostakovska, as well as drawings from children.

I want to give special thanks to Maxim Anmeghichean, Republic of Moldova Ambassador H.E. Viorel Ursu, Oleksandra Sienik and Marianna Falkova from Ukraine House, Kateryna Smagliy from the Ukraine Embassy, Ella Mirevski, my partner Cris Ianculescu, James Albright, George Koch, and the team at Artomatic for their invaluable support.

Enjoy the show!

Daniela Kammrath

Curator, Founder Romanian At Heart


About Artomatic:

The 25th Anniversary event starts Friday, March 8th at 12 pm and runs to Sunday, April 28th. 

Full event days and hours are:

  • WED-THURS | 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

  • FRI-SAT | 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

  • SUN | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • MON-TUES | CLOSED

Address: 2100 M. St. NW, Washington, D.C.

Ruta Sepetys: "I Must Betray You" and her exploration of the communist times in Romania

Ruta Sepetys: "I Must Betray You" and her exploration of the communist times in Romania

I had the great opportunity to interview Ruta Sepetys, the historical fiction writer that wrote “I Must Betray You'“ novel about communist Romania. Read her thoughtful reflections of the five year research and the labor of love that went into this book that tells, yet, another story that could have been, otherwise, lost.