Sofia Paper Art Fest 2023
For the thirteenth consecutive year Sofia Paper Art Fest will present the best of the paper art world. This year the motto of the festival is “Ether and Might”.
We are delighted to invite you to the official opening on May 23 at the National Palace of Culture, accompanied by two large-scale exhibitions.
The West Lobby will present large-format installations by Bulgarian artists, selected under the title “Ether and Might”, showing this year's main concept. The works are realized with materials provided by FESPA Bulgaria.
The 14th edition of the Amateras Annual Exhibition/Competition for Paper Art take place in the Marble Lobby with the winners awarded by representatives of jury and partners.
From May 23 to November 30, 14 exhibitions will be included in the sections Paper Art Biennial; Amateras Annual Exhibition/Competition for Paper Art; Art in Urban Environment; Solo Exhibitions; Exchange, Travelling and Virtual Projects; Paper Art Academy.
Despite the imminent opening, the festival program started in March with the following events: a three-month exhibition at the European Court in Luxembourg, a presentation of Bulgaria in Dubai, a solo exhibition by Daniela Todorova, co-founder of SPAF, presentations in Bulgaria and abroad.
The accompanying events are an important part of the program. “The Wood in the Arts” lectures are an essential educational platform in the field of visual arts. The discussion on “Paper in Sculpture and Installation” is of great importance for the development of these media in contemporary art and the incorporation of new technologies, making paper sustainable in outdoor conditions or an attractive element in interiors. The different workshops will give children, professionals and visual arts enthusiasts the opportunity to get a deeper insight into certain technologies and possible ways of interpretations through paper.
PROGRAM:
March 8 – March 11
“Dare to Dream”, an exhibition part of the conference Art Connects Women 2023, presenting Bulgariain Al Habtoor Palace, Dubai, UAE
March 13 – May 31
“Bulgaria. Innovations and traditions”, Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg
March 30 (published)
“Think in White”, digital project by Daniela Todorova
May 2 – May 12
“Etheral”, jubilee exhibition by Daniela Todorova, Sredets Gallery, Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria, Sofia
May 23 – June 3
“Ether and might”, competition for large-scale sculptures, West Foyer, National Palace of Culture, Sofia
May 23 – June 3
“Amateras Exhibition/Competition for Paper Art ‘23”, Marble Foyer, National Palace of Culture, Sofia
May 25 – June 18
“Urban Archeology V”, exhibition by Leonardo Gotleyb (Argentina), Triangular Tower of Serdica, Regional History Museum – Sofia
June 27 – July 15
“Nomadic Landscape I”, an exhibition of Latin American artists, Finesse Gallery, Sofia
July 3 – September 3
“New Horizons”, an exhibition of foreign artists, Community Centre “Georgi Partsalev”, Levski City
July 6 – July 21
“The Unfamiliar Face”, a project by Leticia Burgos, The Mission Gallery, Sofia
July 12 – November 30
“Might – Outdoors”, sculptures exhibition at the yard area of RCCA Toplocentrala, Sofia
July 17 – August 10
“Art and Paper”, guest exhibition by Amateras Collection, Centre for Contemporary Art Circle, Čačak, Serbia
September 1 – December 3,
“Northern Inventions”, Scandinavian Paper Art, Community Centre “Bratstvo 1884”, Pavlikeni City
October 3 – October 30
“Japanese impressions”, presentation of contemporary art during the Japanese Days of Culture in Bulgaria, Mazda Gallery, Sofia
ACCOMPANYING EVENTS
(discussions, lectures, screenings, online presentations and workshops):
March 29
“Think in Whit”, a workshop for children, Art Center St. St. Cyril and Methodius – 1926, Vrazdebna, Sofia
May 25
“Heart Like a Bird”, screening of the documentary movie about Mario Nestoroff (Argentina), Triangular Tower of Serdica, Regional History Museum – Sofia
May 25 – June 18
Presentation by Leonardo Gotleyb (Argentina), Triangular Tower of Serdica, Regional History Museum – Sofia
July 7
“Ukiyo-e and Handmade Paper”, workshop by Leticia Burgos (Argentina), Mission Gallery, Sofia
July 12
“Might – Outdoors“, presentation and discussion of the projects in the competition, RCCA Toplocentrala
July 15
“The Paper in Sculpture and Instalation Art”, discussion
July 30
“The Tree in the Arts Lectures”, RCCA Toplocentrala, Sofia
October 1
“The Paper and the Music”, experimental performance
October 5
“Philosophy and Calligraphy”, demonstration, Mazda Gallery, Sofia
November 9
“Japan Bolw 5”, competition for adolescents
November 30
“Digital”, online presentation of Amateras Collection
Organizer: Amateras Foundation
Co-organizers: National Palace of Culture and Regional History Museum – Sofia
Galleries: The Mission, Mazda, Sredets, Serdica, Finesse, Centre for Contemporary Art Circle, Čačak (Serbia).
Exhibition spaces: Al Habtoor Palace, Dubai, UAE; Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg; Regional Centre for Contemporary Art “Toplocentrala”; Community Centre “Bratstvo 1884” (town of Pavlikeni); Community Centre “Georgi Partsalev” (town of Levski).
The project is part of the Calendar of Cultural Events of Sofia Municipality for 2023 and is realised with the financial support of “One-Year Grant” Program, “Visual Arts” Program of the Ministry of Culture, as well as with the support of private organizations form Bulgaria and abroad.