The International Exhibition "Eco-Consciousness" with Curator Ana Frangovska was Opened at the "Mission" Gallery
On November 12, 2024 In the "Mission" gallery, the international exhibition "Eco-Consciousness" was opened, organized by the State Institute for Culture under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria in partnership with the Bulgarian Cultural and Information Center in Skopje. The exhibition is curated by Dr. Ana Frangovska, curator at the National Gallery of the Republic of North Macedonia since 2006 and lecturer at the Institute of Art History and Archeology at the Faculty of Philosophy. Dr Frangovska is co-curator of the Republic of North Macedonia Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022, as well as curator of the RNM Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013.
The works selected by Dr. Frangovska were created during the last four sessions of the Galichnik International Art Colony and include participants in the colony over the past four years. The exhibition "Eco-Consciousness" was opened in the Bulgarian Cultural and Information Center in Skopje in June 2024 in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ivan Kondov. BCIC Skopje is a long-standing partner of the project and annually supports Bulgarian artists who participate in it. The Bulgarian participation in the exhibition is represented by authors such as Pravdolyub Ivanov, Kalin Serapionov, Zoran Georgiev, Zara Alexandrova.
The exhibition was opened by the director of the State Institute for Culture - Snezhana Joveva-Dimitrova, who emphasized: "The “Eco-consciousness” project is another proof of the importance of cultural dialogue and of the joint efforts of the countries in the region to overcome challenges - through art and culture." The Director of the Bulgarian Cultural and Information Center in Skopje - Antonia Veleva emphasised the importance of the event by saying: "We are proud to be part of a project that not only highlights the role of art in awareness of environmental challenges, but also strengthens cultural ties between our countries." The curator of the exhibition, Dr. Ana Frangovska, presented the project and summarised: "Contemporary art is a tool for change, and it is through such projects that we can speak openly about the environmental crises that affect us all." On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Director and until recently Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Angel Angelov, congratulated the organisers and emphasized the importance of such joint initiatives.
The opening was attended by the the Deputy Minister of culture Kalin Vlyov, the ambassadors from the Republic of North Macedonia, Greece, Denmark, Montenegro and diplomats from other missions, connoisseurs of contemporary art, cultural figures and the media. Among the guests was the director of the National Art Gallery - Yaroslava Bubnova, maestro Hristo Hristov, Raina Drangova, Elisaveta Shapkareva, prof. Chavdar Popov, the artists who were part of the colony - Lachezar Boyadzhiev, Kalin Serapionov, Pravdolyub Ivanov and others.
The exhibition presents contemporary artists from eight countries - Bulgaria, the Republic of North Macedonia, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, Montenegro and Denmark - who explore natural and cultural complexities, paying attention to the political aspects of ecology, sustainability, social justice and economic equality. The partnership with curator Dr. Ana Frangovska builds on the excellent relationships built in previous projects of the State Institute for Culture in Skopje. The exhibition is part of the Balkan Dialogues programme, which promotes cultural dialogue between countries in the region, and will be open until January 10, 2025.