“I realized I was hungry to make art and feed my imagination through painting tutorials, discovering artists and their work, teaching myself the harmony of color, and experimenting with new media.” Mihaela Marin, artist
Doina Dascalu in Romanian At Heart exhibit at Artomatic, Washington, DC
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
Andreia Gliga in Romanian At Heart exhibit at Artomatic, Washington, DC
Pandi Dacu Photography In Romanian At Heart exhibit at Artomatic, Washington, DC
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.