Air plants

I am surprized I did not know of air plants before. Well, they might not be that popular in temperate climates, I guess. My latest Etsy Treasury is dedicated to this new discovery and to the diversity of air plant accessories: hangers, cradles, misters, planters, himmels, and terrariums. Don't you know what they are? Check them out, it's fun!

Curious about the names of these air plants? They are just as fascinating as their shapes and colors: Tillandsia, Butsi, Bulbosa, Tenuifolia, Straminea and so on.

Here's a bit about how to grow them.

Venus pudica

I have just added another listing in my Etsy shop, an original linocut print depicting a female nude (Venus to be more elegant). The title, Venus pudica, is inspired by an ancient iconographic type of depicting the goddess of love, in which she seems shy and hides her face and key parts of her body. The print is part of a series made last month for a special commission.

For the print I have employed Van Eyck brown typographic ink, applied by roller and by hand, and printed on white graphic paper. It is signed and dated in pencil, marked epreuve d'artiste as all items in the series are different in color and technique. Actual print size: 15x17 cm (5.9 x 6.7 inches).

See Venus pudica on Etsy.

 

Crepundia bracelets

I have returned to my ancient Roman passion for inspiration in making a new series of products for my reenactment website, Atelierul de istorie. The new bracelets. amulets or Boho chic according to modern terminology, were a type of collage/mix pieces of jewelry meant to protect the wearer against the evil spirits and dangers.  Though modern in their arrangement on elastic cord, the crepundia bracelets combine elements made of various materials and colors: hand painted ceramic beads, precious stones, bronze, shells, and other elements.

Feel free to check them out HERE.
See also the crepundia necklaces HERE. 

Printing for Scotland

There is another international printing event coming, so I am getting ready with post-card size prints to sent to Scotland. Cont(r)act is in fact an exhibition and a print exchange part of the Print Festival of Scotland. Deadline for submissions in June.

I have used my small-format "Happy houses" crumbling lino plates and some nice and colorful rows of houses to suggest Transylvania for this event. 
For more on the festival see their Facebook page HERE. 
For more on submissions for Cont(r)act, check this page HERE.

Photos from the History of poison exhibition

As this is the first day of the temporary exhibition "History of poison" at the History of Pharmacy Collection and people seem genuinely interested in the topic, I will shared of my pre-opening photos. Feel free to drop by, the exhibition is fully bilingual as I have translated everything into English. You'll find out about cured for syphilis based on mercury and arsenic and that in German "poison" is "Gift" :)

 

Last preparations before poison :)

I am referring to the temporary exhibition to be opened on Saturday at the History of Pharmacy Collection that has captured the interest of the public and the press. Feel free to join the Facebook event and visit as the exhibition if fully bilingual.
See also recent article in press:
Clujul cultural, Monitorul de Cluj (using old photos of the interior), Faclia, Transilvania reporter, Actual de Cluj (so actual that the image is at least three years old and shows the currently retired museographer).
and previous blog posts HERE.

The History of Poison

The new temporary exhibition at the History of Pharmacy Collection in Cluj focuses on the history of poison and of the side effects of drugs. It will be open between May 28th and August 27th in Unirii Square no. 28.
It presents the types of "venena" sold in pharmacies (most often drugs containing arsenic and mercury), the way in which possibly dangerous drugs were stored and sold, and historical episodes of failed treatments in Transylvania.

Night of Museums follow-up

As every year, the Night of Museums drew thousands of people to our small museum, the History of Pharmacy Collection in Cluj-Napoca. The event has been marked in the city by a trove of overlapping concerts, festivals, parties, and fireworks which also contributed to boosting the attendance. As a side effect, it also brought to the museum people who would not have been otherwise interested in museums alone. I thank all 3000 visitors for dropping by and hope that some of the "non-museum people" were at least left with a sparkle of interest (though this was not visible at the time :) ).

As a first, this year we benefited from the aid of five brave students as volunteers who did a great job and provided useful suggestions. Looking forward to extending our collaboration!

 

From linocut to flags

I've had another special order, of a flag imprinted with the "draco", the ancient war standard of the Dacians. I had made a larger linocut series with the motif, but did not dare use lino print on textile, as they were meant to be used outside, maybe in harsh weather. I have thus made a compromise, with a specialized company printing the model on special flag material. The flags are avaible on my company's site HERE and the original linos HERE.

Sighisoara and Sibiu

Before turning to printmaking (linocut by preference), I painted and occasionally still do. Here are some of my "classical" small and average-size works, acrylic on cardboard, inspired by trips to the Saxon cities of Transylvania, mostly Sighisoara and Sibiu.

Roman auxiliary soldiers needed

Recruitment is open in Cluj-Napoca for soldiers to reenact the latest troop of  VIRTUS ANTIQUA: Cohors I Batavorum Milliaria Civium Romanorum Pia Fidelis. The first task is to remember the full name of your unit correctly, then you'll have to learn the Latin field commands and formations, and to take care of your kit: calligae sandals, trousers, tunic, lorica hamata (the chain mail of the auxiliary soldiers), shield,  gladius, helmet, and mantle. The rewards of your long labor will not consists of land plots like in the Roman time, but of interesting food (according to ancient recipes), lots of socializing (withing the group of volunteers reenactors but also with the public), a chance to travel (at Reenactment festivals) and learn something first hand. Interested? Contact us!

contact@virtusantiqua.ro