United in Art

The project is conceived as a long-term exchange between Bulgaria and the Nordic Countries. It was initiated by the Amateras Foundation as a continuation of a long-standing relationship with artists and organisations connected to, or belonging to, the North. It is a part of the Sofia Paper Art Fest program and a residency program in Pavlikeni. The main priority is tolerance and intercultural dialogue in these troubled times. This is embedded in the themes of the works and the discussion envisaged in the project.

“United in Art” was initiated during the autumn panel of Sofia Paper Art Fest 2022, taking us to the mysterious Northern Europe. The presentation of artists from this part of the continent has its background. In 2013, the Paper Art Biennial exhibited for the first time a selection of installations and objects from the Nordic Countries. The idea for the project “United in Art” was born, focusing on exchange initiatives with Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Interest in contemporary art from Northern Europe and Scandinavia has grown in recent years. It is known for the woven mysticism that creeps through diffuse lighting, bringing charm and mystery. Works range from prints and collages to objects, installations and sculptures.

We live in a dynamic time with many changes and serious challenges, and this is captured in most works through allegory or abstract messages. The featured artists work with a diverse range of ideas, techniques and messages to the public, united by their humane and civic stance in the contemporary world. The war in Ukraine is shattering contemporary reality and the artists do not remain indifferent. They focus on the human being and the preservation of harmony in the world we live in. The works provoke humanism, affirmation of human values, protection of peace and security of the planet.

Some of the works center on the human being, specifically the personification, on narratives and poems from the past and present. The installation works and sculptures are mostly abstract. They contrast with two-dimensional collages, mixed-media prints, photography and drawing, which tell personal stories through symbols. Intimate revelations and fateful experiences are dominant.

The events opened in the presence of official representatives of the Embassies and Consulates of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.

In 2022 the basis of the exchange project is paved, under the umbrella of Sofia Paper Art Fest. Several events were planned and realized in Sofia and Pavlikeni: residency, exhibitions, presentations, lectures, workshops, interviews, discussions, etc. The project will evolve over the years keeping its main priorities.

The project is realized with the financial support of the “Recovery and Development of Private Cultural Organisations ’22” Program of the National Culture Fund, the Calendar of Cultural Events of Sofia Municipality 2023, and is part of the Cultural Calendar of Pavlikeni.

Events in Bulgaria and the Nordic Countries in 2022–2024:

2022

• Exhibition “Nordic Art”, Finesse Gallery, Sofia, panels, objects, installations, prints, and collage (13 October – 5 November);
• Online exhibition “United in Art” that presents the artworks in the expositions;
• Presentation of all participants in the project “United in Art”, Finesse Gallery (1 – 31 November).

2023

• Residency/plein air “United in Art”, Pavlikeni Municipality (1 – 8 September);
• Exhibition “United in Art”, part of the project “Pavlikeni and the World”, sculpture, installations, paper art, Community Centre “Bratstvo – 1884”, Pavlikeni (8 September – 8 October);
• “Monotype”, workshop by Liisa Malkamo (Finland) for children from the kindergarten in Pavlikeni (5 September);
• “The Role of Art in Troubled Times”, discussion with the organizers and representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine, National Culture Fund, State Cultural Institute, RCCA Toplocentala, Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Institute, Polish Institute Sofia, Jazz FM, cultural managers and artists, RCCA Toplocentrala, Sofia (10 November);
• Screening of the documentary movie “Culture vs War” with an interview by the Ukrainian intellectual Serhiy Zhadan, awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade 2022 (10 November).

Amateras Foundation expresses its gratitude to all participants playing a role in this project:

Bulgaria: Daniela Todorova, Todor Todorov and Petar Lazarov;
Denmark: Ingve Riber, Ida Guldhammer, Kate Skjerning and Henriette Tougaard;
Iceland: Mireya Samper, Hrafn Hrólfsson, and Ragnhildur Stefansdottir;
Norway: Vibeke Damgaard, Peter Easdale, Kirsti Grotmol, Hanne Frey Husø, Ellen Ringstag and Eva Sjøwall;
Finland: Anna-Maija Bergman, Niina Keltamäki, Laina Koskela, Liisa Malkamo and Tuulikki Päällysaho;
France: Bruno David;
Sweden: Margareta Mannervik.

Discussion:
Vesela Kondakova (moderator)
Daniela Todorova, Todor Todorov, Iryna Kozik, Snejana Yoveva-Dimitrova, Szandra Miskédi, Vladiya Mihaylova, Milena Mihailova and Svetoslav Nikolov.