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Artist Statement -



Path Over The Water

“From Behind the Veil”

In Claudiu Presecan’s recent series of paintings and drawings, Path over The Water, his investigation into how gesture is translated into visual imagery continues. Using a variety of methods of applying pigments—pouring, dripping, smearing, dropping, erasing—this series walks an edge between figuration and abstraction. Inspired by the vast Danube Delta which transverses his native Romania with its lagoons, reeds, hidden recesses, and isolated villages this art speaks to movement, change and, in a poetic way, to continuity. This work does not, however, portray a specific landscape; rather it speaks to an experience that transcends place and time.

During the communist regime in Romania, which ended in 1989, reeds from the delta were extensively, and determinately, harvested with the goal of transforming the delta into a large agro-industrial zone. The reed, in Presecan’s previous series, Traces of Water, is a symbol of the individual, freedom, and resistance, essentially a life force that perseveres. In his current work, the imagery of the reed becomes more and more abstracted leaving in its wake a trace, a quivering, of its being. Movement replaces figuration and form occupies space much as dancers move through their bodies as they alter, momentarily, their surroundings. For Presecan landscape is, in ways, a metaphor for inner psychological and spiritual states that are given structure and certain permanence through the physicality of painting.

Presecan refers to a “water universe“ in which our inner world blends often seamlessly with the external landscape. Water, in the work of Presecan, is symbolic of a vastness that is simultaneously, and continually, revealing a micro and macro universe. It is interesting to note that the human body is approximately 60% water (at birth it is closer to 75% but diminishes with age). In utereo, we all evolved within amniotic fluid that the developing fetus inhales and then exhales throughout the pregnancy. We are, then, in a very real sense formed by, and of, water. Water is thus not only essential to our initial and continuing existence, we are literally containers for large amounts of water. Much like a river forms a path for water to transverse through our bodies are nourished and sustained by paths of water.

In the oil painting, “Path over Lake (120cm x 50cm) 2010,” the viewer is confronted not so much by a place as by a fleeting moment. It is as if a small section of an environment is zoomed in on, forming an almost microscopic rendering, or cross-section. And by so doing a peeling away of layers occurs, revealing an abstract combination of colors, shapes, and lines in a highly energized state, recalling that all matter consist of molecules which are never completely static, but always moving. A diffuse blue, green background is interspersed with floating yellow cell-like shapes and horizontal red lines that transverse the surface, suggesting power and vitality more than violence or a ripping apart.

“Path over Lake,” is a large horizontal painting and in its’ shape and size recalls Chinese scroll painting. In this type of painting, which stretches back many centuries, a narrative, or story, inspired usually by a landscape, is presented. Presecan’s use of line, too, has a calligraphic quality to it, a mysterious language that seems to spring from an ancient and forgotten civilization.

The pastel drawings in this exhibition are all titled Delta and numbered. Unlike his paintings, in which color is prominent, these drawings are primarily created with black pastel. Delta <22 was influenced by a recent boat trip the artist took down the Danube Delta to Salina, Romania. This remote town can only be reached by water or by hiking. Cruising on the Danube through undeveloped countryside there is a timeless quality to the landscape and to the Romania it reflects. In this drawing, which is more representational then others exhibited, the perspective is of traveling down the center of the river. As always in Presecan’s work, movement and motion is emphasized and examined as are lines between abstraction and figuation. Black circular abstract forms pave the way though the water and cascade throughout trees and float into the sky. These simple shapes order and unify the space, like dancers. The mood created is in many aspects one of religious or spiritual contemplation, encouraging a “freedom of the spirit,” a vision that links together all of Presecan’s oeuvre.

Artist Exhibitions



EDUCATION:

Dec. 2008 I have presented the doctorate thesis “The landscape – state of mind and expression”, for which I have received “magna cum laude” Casa Matei, UAD Cluj.
2004-2008 PhD in visual arts.
2000 Workshop in arts management: "From Here to There" / The Amsterdam Maastricht Summer University, The Netherlands.
1994-1995 MFA,"Ioan Andreescu" Visual Arts Academy, painting department.
1994 Master Class in painting with Jiri Georg Dokoupil, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, course organized by the Amsterdam Summer University and Amsterdam Institute for Painting.
1988-1994 "Ioan Andreescu" Visual Arts Academy, painting department – Cluj.
1988-1990 Ceramic Department.
1990-1994 Painting Department.
Graduation diploma obtained in 1994 ("The Icons on Glass from Transylvania, XVII th- XIX th cts").
1979-1987 High School of Fine Arts, Cluj-Napoca. Ceramic Department. B.F.A obtained in 1987.


RESIDENCIES, GRANTS, AWARDS:

2010: "Inter-Art" International Art Camp Aiud, XVth edition
2004: “Cultural Praiseworthy Medal”, awarded by the Romanian Presidency.
2000: Laz '99 International Art Camp, Laz - jud. Alba / Workshop in arts management: "From Here to There" - The Amsterdam Maastricht Summer University, The Netherlands / Soros Foundation Travel Grant.
1999: Laz '99 International Art Camp, Laz - jud. Alba.
1997: 3rd Annual Jurbarkas International Creative Artist Camp (grant), Lithuania.
1996: Resident Artist, Vermont Studio Center (grant) - Johnson, VT, USA / Soros Foundation Travel Grant.
1994: Master Class in painting with Jiri Georg Dokoupil, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, course organised by the Amsterdam Summer University and Amsterdam Institute for Painting.
1993: Prize for painting awarded by Accademia Internazionale Fanum Fortunae in "Fanum Fortunae e Pisaurum" competition, Fano, Italy.


ONE PERSON EXHIBITIONS:

2012: Hangar Gallery, Cluj
2011: Central Art Gallery, Cluj
2009: HIM Gallery, Cluj / DNS Gallery, Graz, Austria / Fortuna Galleries, Cluj / Arcade 24 Gallery, Bistrita, Romania
2008: Casa Matei, UAD Cluj
2007: “Traces on Water”, the Old Gallery, Cluj
2006: Markus Prepress's Office, Cluj / "The Magic Garden", Länderzirkel auf Reisen, Trinkhalle Kurhotel Dr. Kipper, Bad Gams, Austria
2005: P & B Gallery, Cluj
2004: Auschlößl - Interkulturelles Cafe und Begegnungszentrum, Graz, Austria / Kuga Cultural Centre, Grosswarasdorf, Burgenland, Austria / "Gallery Day & Night", Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA
2003: Open Studio Party & violin concert sustained by Titus Flueras- Besa, Prislop 8, Cluj / Val House Gallery, Bucharest, Romania
2002: VKB Bank, Linz, Austria / Aula Romaniae Gallery, Romanian Cultural Centre, Vienna, Austria / "Impression", the Old Gallery, Cluj, Romania
2001: "Impression, Le Soleil…Levant (Byzance), Romanian Embassy, Copenhagen, Denmark / "Impression, Sunrise", National Museum of Art, Cluj
2000: Sindan Cultural Centre, Cluj
1999: Cuyler St. Gallery, Port Elisabeth, South Africa
1998: “At Heaven’s Gate 2”, The Old Gallery, Cluj / “At Heaven’s Gate 1”, Alianta Artelor Gallery, Cluj
1997: C. Brancusi Gallery, Parliament of Romania, Chamber of Deputies, Bucharest / "Air '96", The Old Gallery, Cluj
1996: Atelier Libre Gallery, Ottweiler, Germany / "The Vine 1", The Old Gallery, Cluj / "The Vine 2", Bucharest Bank, Cluj
1995: Credit Fond, Cluj / "The Scale", Napoca 15 - Cluj
1994: Helios Gallery - Timisoara , Romania
1991: Art Gallery, University Library, Cluj


GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

2013: Contemporary Rotary Art Exhibition, Bucharest Museum, Bucharest
2012: GZ-Art Basel, Switzerland / Habitat Auction, Cluj / Quadro Auction 10, Quadro Gallery, Cluj
2011: INTER-ART, Vichy, France / Quadro Auction 8, Quadro Gallery, Cluj / 2011 International Tsai-mo Fan Art Exhibition, Taichung City Cultural Center, Taiwan / Spring Auction, Quadro Gallery, Cluj
2010: St'art Art Fair, Strasbourg, France / 2010 International Tsai-mo Humanistic Art Exhibition, Taichung City Cultural Center, Taiwan / "Inter-Art" Galleries Aiud, Romania / „The portrait” International Mail Art Exhibition, History Museum Aiud, Romania
2009: International Tsai-Mo Graffiti-Art Exhibition, Taichung City Cultural Center, Taiwan / Art Museum, Zalau, Romania
2008: 0+0 Gallery, Valencia, Spain / HIM Gallery, Cluj / Fiuggi, Roma, Italia
2007: 6th Taichung Tsai-Mo Art Festivel, Taichung Cultural Center, Taichung, Taiwan
2006: "Interart 2006", The Old Gallery, Cluj
2005: Gallery Theatre de Poche la Grenette, Vevey, Switzerland / Erste Bank, Mödling, Austria / KH Wiener Neustadt, Austria
2004: Romanian Cultural Centre, Vienna, Austria
2003: “A Mid Summer’s Night Scream”, Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Temple-Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA
2002: Omma Gallery, Omma Centre of Contemporary Art, Chania, Crete, Greece
2001: "Et in Venetia ego", National Museum of Art Cluj / Finansbank, Cluj / "Visionen 2001", Bad Kissingen, Germany
2000: "Et in Venetia ego", Istituto Romeno di Cultura e Ricerca Umanistica, Venice, Italy / Pecsi Galeria, Pecs, Hungary / "on-line Ausstellung ART SUMMER 2000" at Geli's Virtual Gallery, Altenstadt, Germany / "Laz 2000", National Museum of Art Cluj / "Liber Studiorum", National Museum of Art Cluj
1999: Gartenflugel Gallery, Ziegelbrucke (GL), Switzerland / Sebes Cathedral, Jud. Alba / Celtica Gallery, Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Internet Festival, U.K. / Alliance of Arts Gallery, Cluj-Napoca
1998: International Exhibition, Art Gallery Resita, Romania
1997: Cultural Centre Jurbarkas, Lithuania
1995: National Museum of Art Cluj / "Atelier 35",Caminul Artei Gallery Bucharest
1994: Aschenbach Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
1993: Fano, Italy
1992: Nae Ionescu Cultural Centre Festival, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada / National Theatre Exhibition Hall, Cluj
1991: Romanian's Contemporary Art, Zwolle, The Netherlands
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995: Annual Show of Painting & Sculpture, Cluj County, UAP's Gallery
1984: Ceremonial Hall of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ankara, Turkey


WORKS IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:


National Museum of Art, Cluj / Romanian Parliament Picture Gallery Collection / Cultural Centre, Jurbarkas, Lithuania, Nae Ionescu Cultural Center, Canada / Omma Contemporary Center, Chania, Greece / Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA / Romanian Cultural Centre, Vienna, Austria / Romanian Embassy from Copenhagen, Denmark, KUGA Cultural Centre, Großwarasdorf, Austria / ING Bank Cluj.

WORKS IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS:

Romania, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, USA, Canada, Israel, Greece, South Africa, Hungary, Italy.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY:

2004-2008 Partner, P&B Gallery, Cluj
2004-2005 Preparator, University of Art and Design, Cluj-Napoca.
2001-2008 Webmaster, manager Cluj Art On Line Gallery
From 1997 President / co-founder of the Arta Foundation, Cluj-Napoca.
1995 professional scenepainter at the National Theatre, Cluj-Napoca.
1989 Designer at I.C.P. Cluj, Romania.
1988-1990 Sculptor at the Cooperativa Constructorul Cluj, Romania.


ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE:

1996 performed the scenography of the "Blue Bird" show, by M.Maeterlinck, at The International Theatre Festival from Orthez, France.
1993 performed the scenery of the "Nuts Cracker" ballet, organised by International Ballet Society Washington, D.C., USA, in Bekescsaba, Hungary.
1995 professional scenepainter at the National Theatre, Cluj-Napoca.
1989 co-worker of the old church restoration in the Rimeti Monastery, Transylvania.


AFFILIATION TO ASSOCIATIONS:

Member of the Romanian Artist Union (U.A.P.) Cluj-Bistrita Branch
Founding member of Rotary Club Cetatuie Cluj-Napoca, District 2241
Member of FITMA (Federation of International Tsai-Mo Artists), Taichung,Taiwan...

Artist Publications



Ever since eight years ago, I was mentioning the impressive exhibit record of the very young artist – at that time - as well as the professionalism of his manner of “leaving the atelier”, in order to steadily and successfully meet an enthusiastic public and the art critique, favorable without any exception, in the presentation of the exhibition which, with exciting subtlety, Claudiu Presecan entitled “Impression. Soleil – Levant (Byzance)”.
I was also underlining the coherence of his artistic demarche, structured with a certain specific artistry of sequence in distinct cycles- only apparently discontinuous, in fact growing naturally one out of the other, due to a uninhibited dialogue program (uncompromisingly followed, even in the absence of an explicit theoretical enunciation) with the grand tradition of landscape painting. The years that followed this exhibition brought to the artist’s consistent resume new personal exhibitions, with solid preparation (which, either in the country or abroad – Denmark, Austria, USA – benefited of a valued attention of the general public and the artistic community), important participations in group exhibitions open in Cluj or abroad (Greece, Austria, USA, Switzerland and Taiwan), as well as the official recognition of the quality of his artistic activity (the medal for cultural merit awarded by the Romanian Presidency). The artist’s integration in a doctoral preparation program, assumed with responsibility, has contributed all this time to the consolidation of his artistic demarche coherence, evolved with passion, under the coordinates of a vision of post-modern essence. In the creative strategy of this creation stage (solidly underlain in theory by the systematic investigation of the impressionist painting) the primordial factor of provocation is nature – pure existence, homogenous, non-sequential and all-comprehensive, while the motivation of the pictorial act is the re-experience of a paradisiacal state, of total participation at the mysteries of a genuine nature, of grand expansive vitality: the nature of the Danube Delta. And the reeds and the water lilies – innate beauty from waters, are felt as a real archetypal symbol of this miraculous and fascinating encounters of moving still waters, earth flooded with vegetation and sun bathed skies – which is the Delta. To this nature, which ignores anthropomorphism (as it is ready only to attract, absorb and protect the fragile human being) the artist relates as to a constant and explicit guiding mark (he doesn’t suppress the natural referent nor does he put it in brackets), but he considers the referential activity from a double perspective; the one of his own sensitivity of poetic essence and of his endowment of colorist and drawer – admirably polished by a sustained atelier practice) and the cultural perspective of the passionate dialogue with an already existent visual code : the morphologic and syntactic code of the impressionist art. In other words, the artist proposes, in an attractive and persuasive way, a dialogue style of his own (with undisguised cultural appetence) with a style historically constituted (in the 19th century) long persistent (towards the half of the 20th century) in the modern painting and assertively re-introduced in actuality (in different aspects), in post-modernity. The reception charm, the lyrical exultance of the immediate experience are expressed in simple and undulating forms, built with a simple drawing, in a fluid and sonant color, dominated by cold accords – only partially autonomous in relationship with the motif: virtuous drawing and vibrant chromatics, masterly enhanced in value by the excellent domination of the white extended with oriental refinement on large surfaces. Besides this explosive hedonism, the intensity of the artist’s sight is exerted stupendously in the decoding (in the very act of painting with detached gesture) of sub-adjacent dynamic structures, of an expressive order, beyond the strict horizon of appearances. Clear and aired, refined without ostentation and lyric without sentimentalism, the images of the reeds and water lilies – crossed by harmonious rhythms, with expressive accents and energetic resonances, become spaces, without any narrative ballast, of some thrilling communication ritual with a fraternal, cordial cosmos. Each and every one of them composes a sensitive pictorial essay about a personal poetics of purity.

Dr. Livia Dragoi
Director, Art Museum Cluj-Napoca
...

Artist Collections



National Museum of Art, Cluj-Napoca
Romanian Parliament, Bucharest
Cultural Centre, Jurbarkas, Lithuania
Dr. Felix Wanschitz, Vienna, Austria
Dr. Heinz Kindlimann, Glarus, Switzerland
Dr. Bruno Glaus, Uznach, Switzerland
Mogens Hess, Veijle, Denmark
Dr. Radu Craciunean, Coburg, Germany
Dr. Edith Risse, GRaz, Austria
Kuga Cultural Centre, Grosswarasdorf, Burgenland, Austria
...

Artist Favorites