This year’s edition is curated by Italian artist Claudio Cravero, who says that at a social level, especially in the last decade, doubt inevitably affects almost everyone
TIRANA, Dec. 4 – “I think, therefore I am.” This philosophical statement famously postulated by Rene Descartes will be the concept of the 20th edition of the Onufri visual arts competition. The annual competition named after Onufri, Albania’s 16th century most important icon painter, will focus on the “Praise of Doubt” concept. Some 12 artists will be selected to display their artworks at the National Art Gallery from December 26 to February 2, 2014. This year’s edition is curated by Italian artist Claudio Cravero and Albanian artist Olson Lamaj as assistant curator.
“At a social level, especially in the last decade, doubt inevitably affects almost everyone. There is no more certainty of permanent job (at least in the countries of old Europe). Also in countries considered nowadays as the former Eastern Europe, where new forms of democracy clash between the desire to see the Western models and the strong cultural tradition still ground-rooted among different generations. In these countries the dreams and the utopias toward a change seem to be stalemated and comparable to a state of doubt. In fact, the disillusion and the disappointment among the new generations of artists under 30, who invested their scholarship on moving abroad attending MA and Fine Arts Schools, are strongly perceived by them as a failure of government policies and promises for a cultural renaissance,” says Italian curator Claudio Cravero.
“Recently we are witnesses (without the intention of generalising all the countries putting them in one basket) of a spread tension. This wave is perceivable in many cases: from Albania to Bulgaria, from Greece and other European nations like Ireland, Spain, Portugal or Italy to the current “Arab Spring” outcomes. The cited tension is a feeling of anxiety more individual than collective that includes the uncertainty of moving outside, or staying “motionless” where you are. Furthermore this mood coincides with the typical doubtful feeling. The fear of not being successful in attaining the own desires and projects means that the dreams could not come true and self-esteem is compromised,” the curator adds.
The Onufri Prize carries an award of 500,000 lek (Euro 3,500 euros), and the winner will be announced on 30 January 2014 in a public event taking place at the National Gallery. A jury of well-known specialists in contemporary art and culture will select the winner.
In last year’s 19th edition, a picture and a sculpture featuring two holding structures for trees created by young artist Alketa Ramaj was announced the winning work of the Onufri competition. The jury awarded Ramaj the first prize for the symbolism of the continuation of life brought by her works. The artist participated in the exhibition with a picture featuring a leaning tree being held by a metallic structure and a similar gypsum sculpture featuring a structure to hold a sapling straight.
