Watercolor artworks have a prominent place of their own in the SCAG collection. Loved and perfected by many Bulgarian artists, the watercolor technique has a peculiar charm and ability to captivate. Watercolor artworks, whether they are spontaneous light sketches or artfully designed fully completed works, whether they are portraits, landscapes, compositions or artistic impressions, captivate the viewer with their spontaneity and poeticism.

Known from as early as antiquity, watercolor painting developed in China after the invention of paper, becoming popular around Europe significantly later. The precursor of the watercolor technique is painting on freshly applied plaster /fresco painting/, whose effect is similar to that of watercolor. Initially, watercolor was used in European painting as an ancillary technique for the preparation of sketches, drafts or quick drawings. It was as late as the 18th – 19th century that watercolor became an independent art form. Watercolor’s intrinsic lightness and exquisiteness, the rich potential for a variety of effects – from the artist barely touching the paper through to deep colorful layering, make it the technique of choice for many artists.

The SCAG exhibition features 80 watercolor artworks. Without claiming to present a thorough chronological timeline, the exhibition follows the development of the watercolor technique in Bulgarian art, starting from the late 19th century through to the late 20th century. Alongside the early notable works from the SCAG collection by Josef Oberbauer, Georgi Kanela or Yaroslav Veshin, the exhibition focuses on the most prominent Bulgarian watercolor masters – Nikola Marinov, Constantine Starkelov, Yordan Geshev, Dechko Uzunov, Vasil Stoilov, etc. Works by a number of artists such as Genko Genkov, Simeon Venov, Vasil Chakarov, Alexander Poplilov, Vasil Valev, Lyuben Zidarov, Thomas Kochev, Mihail Deyanov, Nenko Tokmakchiev, Zahari Kamenov, Nina Kovacheva, etc. provide an idea of the various approaches and styles adopted between the mid-20th and the late 20th century, revealing the rich expressive potential and poetic beauty of watercolor painting.

Youlian Tabakov

14 March 2013 - 21 April 2013

Screenings: Tuesday-Saturday - 11.30 am and 3.30 pm; Sunday - 2 pm and 4 pm

TZVETANKA is a poetic film about the history of twentieth-century Bulgaria as seen through the eyes of Dr. Tzvetanka Gosheva and her incredible life story.

Born into a wealthy family, Tzvetanka’s childhood dream was to become an actress, yet Bulgaria’s twentieth-century history causes her fate to radically change. What makes the twentieth century a unique period in Bulgaria’s history are the abrupt transitions from monarchy to communism and then to democracy. As one age is transformed into another, so are transformed the country and the people living in it.

“Tzvetanka” is the story of my grandmother, who witnessed these three periods in Bulgaria’s history. Her life provides an insight into the life of our contemporaries, our society and our country.” Youlian Tabakov, film director and creator of the exhibition.

The exhibition includes a presentation of the film “Tzvetanka“ (Youlian Tabakov, writer/ director, Adam Nilson, director of photography, Morten Nilsen, Martichka Bozhilova, producers), large format photographs and scenography-related material.

Youlian Tabakov is an internationally acclaimed young artist, having taken numerous specialization courses in Bulgaria and abroad. He has worked extensively with theater and film directors of high European caliber, all of whom contributed to the creation of the artwork’s visual concept, comprehensiveness and focus of perception. Drawing on his extensive experience as an artist, sculptor and scenographer, he got involved with leading film directors as a collaborator and conceptualist, also creating successful theater and film projects of his own.

National Competition for painting, sculpture and graphics

12 March 2013 - 21 April 2013

The Allianz Bulgaria-supported National Painting, Graphic Arts, and Sculpture competition was launched in 2008 as a biennial event. There have been three competitions in the last five years, followed by a total of 21 exhibitions, featuring more than 3, 000 artworks, held in various cities.

The event aims to promote the creation of new artworks, as well as to follow the development of painting, sculpture, and graphic arts throughout the period 2008 – 2013. Some of the artworks were also exhibited abroad, namely in Munich, Prague, and Košice.

Grand prize winners include Dimitar Cholakov, Angel Stanev, Veliko Marinchevski, Desislava Deneva, Emanuela Kovach, Nelly Hristova, Zhivka Marinova, Cyril Meskin and Ivan Ninov.

Competition catalogues were available at all three of the competitions held so far.

The SCAG-hosted exhibition presents fifty four award winners from the three competitions held so far. Artworks belong to Allianz Bulgaria.

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