18 September 2019 - 27 October 2019

And In s Silent Reverie She’s Waiting… is an exhibition commemorating the 130^th anniversary of Ivan Lazarov’s birth. It seeks to present sculptural works by this remarkable artist, lecturer, academician, thinker, and community leader in the context of Bulgarian art in the first half of the twentieth century. It provides viewers with the opportunity to draw comparisons, take a closer look at certain processes, get a better understanding of trends on the art scene during these dynamic decades, and, most of all, follow the sculptor’s development as an artist, as revealed by his works.

Ivan Lazarov’s art, which has always sparked off interest, has turned into a major reference point in the exploration of themes, directions and solutions in visual art. His sculptural works stand out against the background of Bulgarian art of the first half of the twentieth century, captivating viewers with the meaning they convey, the creative solutions they offer, and their idiosyncratic style. In the period between the two world wars, his work established itself as a significant factor on the art scene, connecting through countless invisible threads the ideas, artists, aspirations, concerns and longings of the time. The organization of this exhibition provided an occasion to bring Lazarov’s legacy up to date by tracking down the location of his works, establishing their condition, and systematizing them anew. This in turn led to the outlining of new approaches to the study, consideration, perception, and presentation in a new light of some forgotten or completely unknown works. Study of the artist’s work, the exhibition, and the catalogue were completed in cooperation with the sculptor’s heirs.

The exhibition presents more than 40 works by Ivan Lazarov, including some completely unknown works being put on display for the first time. Also featured in the exhibition are works by some of the most intriguing and idiosyncratic artists of the first half of the twentieth century, namely Ivan Milev, Vladimir Dimitrov the Master, Ivan Penkov, Nikola Petrov, Pencho Georgiev, Vasil Zahariev, etc. Works included in the exhibition belong to the artist’s family, the Sofia City Art Gallery, the Kyustendil City Art Gallery Vladimir Dimitrov the Master, the Pleven City Art Gallery Iliya Beshkov,  the Svetlin Rusev Donation-Collection, the Kazanlak City Art Gallery, the Art Gallery of the Karlovo Municipality, the Ruse City Art Gallery, the History Museum of the City of Samokov, the Nikola Tanev House Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the museum collection of the National Academy of Arts, the Archives State Agency, private collectors, and the National Gallery of Art.

Curator: Lyuben Domozetski

13 September 2019 - 08 March 2020

Serdika, Sredets, Sofia…during the course of its existence, the city went through various stages of development, and several name changes. In the span of 140 years, since its proclamation as capital, Sofia was transformed from a small settlement with streets ‘knee-deep in mud’ into a significant dynamic city with a personality, spirit, and culture of its own.

The exhibition follows the capital city’s life and development through the works of generations of Bulgarian artists. This unique tour of Sofia landmarks and milestone events is ‘guided’ by the canvases of Anton Mitov, Nikola Petrov, Ivan Getsov, TsankoLavrenov, Nikola Tanev, ZlatyuBoyadzhiev, DechkoUzunov, Tekla Alexieva, Ivan Kirkov, LachezarBoyadzhiev, Nadezhda Oleg Lyahova, Cyril Prashkov, SamuilStoyanov, etc.

Through the images of landmark buildings and sites on paintings and picture postcards, through the impressions and reflections of travelers and intellectuals, we relate stories. The bygone era of post-Liberation excitement, the cultural boom between the two world wars, historic events associated with the landmark year of 1944, the controversial socialist past, and the sources of excitement for contemporary artists are but a few of the themes the exhibition touches upon.

Works featured in the exhibition belong to the permanent collections of the Museum of Regional History, Sofia, the National Gallery of Art, the art galleries of the cities of Kazanlak, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Shumen, Sliven. 

Exhibition-related products,including an album, a children’s game book, and plenty of Sofia merchandise, will be available at the exhibition venue.

The exhibition was designed so as to include contributions from the HristoAlexiev Collection,the Lost Bulgaria website, and bulFoto.

The exhibition was brought to life in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Capital City Administration, Aurubis AG, UNIQUA Group, the Bulgarian News Agency, the Bulgarian National Television, and the Bulgarian National Radio