Mihai Iepure-Gorski, Răzvan Anton

Too young for memories

November 15, 20219 - February 30, 2020

The project Too Young for Memories by artists Mihai Iepure-Górski and Răzvan Anton draws its inspiration from the title of a proletcultist short novel by Teodor Tango, a Bistrița-based author favored by the communist regime. The title itself carries significant weight, not only in the context of the book—which follows the life of Fana, a young theater student—but also as a metaphor for a broader cultural and societal adolescence. It reflects both the protagonist’s biological age and, by extension, a collective cultural age, framing society’s immaturity in dealing with history and its consequences.

Adolescence is often associated with choices made without bearing the weight of their repercussions. Similarly, young societies may act impulsively, failing to fully grasp the long-term outcomes of their actions. This duality forms the conceptual foundation of the project, situating it within the broader framework of memory, recent history, and the repercussions of the Romanian Revolution of 1989.

The works presented in the exhibition act as fragments of a larger, unresolved puzzle. Through reflections on memory and history, the artists confront the audience with the remnants and symptoms of what they describe as a "failed revolution." The pieces evoke translation-less flashbacks—scattered yet profound moments that intuitively convey a sense of unresolved tragedy. These works are not merely nostalgic; they aim to uncover potential keys for negotiation, resolution, and liberation from the burdens of collective memory.

By assembling these fragmented narratives, the artists invite viewers to grapple with the complexities of history, urging them to piece together the past in order to better understand its impact on the present. This exploration of memory, though deeply personal, resonates universally, touching on themes of trauma, collective identity, and the unfulfilled promises of revolution.

Mihai Iepure-Górski

Born in Alba-Iulia, Romania, Mihai Iepure-Górski is a graduate of the Arts Academy and currently resides in Cluj-Napoca. His multidisciplinary practice spans various mediums, reflecting a deep engagement with contemporary artistic discourse. Recent solo exhibitions include shows at Baril Gallery in Cluj-Napoca. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including the first edition of Art Encounters in Timișoara, the Survival Kit 4 Festival in Riga, and European Travellers – Art from Cluj Today at Műcsarnok, Budapest. Iepure-Górski was also featured in the second edition of the Mobile Biennale and was a recipient of open calls from Salonul de Proiecte in Bucharest. His work has been further recognized through an artist residency at Museums Quartier Vienna.

Răzvan Anton

Răzvan Anton is a lecturer at the University of Arts and Design in Cluj-Napoca and an active member of the Fabrica de Pensule (Brush Factory) artistic community. His work often engages with archival material, including his coordination of the digitalization of the Minerva Photographic Press Archive. Anton has participated in significant residency programs, including the TRACES project (2016–2019) in Mediaș and a residency at Museums Quartier Vienna in fall 2018. Selected recent works include the solo exhibition Mnemonics at EASTWARDS PROSPECTUS in Bucharest. His group exhibitions span diverse themes and geographies, such as: Contentious Objects / Ashamed Subjects, Politecnico di Milano, Galleria del Progetto, Milan; Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear, EASTWARDS PROSPECTUS, Bucharest; Life: A User’s Manual: I Work, Therefore I’m Not, Art Encounters, Timișoara; The Future of Memory, Tranzit House, Cluj-Napoca; GIF, MAGMA, and Facts Plant and Other (Unconfessed) Stories, Domino, Cluj.