“Through Thick and Thin / La Bine și La Rău” is an exhibition project that delves into relationships, solidarity, and resilience within artistic communities, reflecting on our role as an artist-run space and on the commitment of artists to sustain their practice under challenging circumstances.
Traversing a segment of MATCA artspace’s journey, the exhibition brings together artists who have been consistent or emblematic in shaping the space’s program over its eight years of existence. The selection aims to highlight the key concept that defines artistic continuity: dedication. Inspired by artistic collectives and groups throughout history—both recent and distant—that thrived on trust and mutual support, the exhibition interrogates the position of artist-run spaces within broader cultural networks, spotlighting their role not only as platforms for creation but also as ecosystems of support and collaboration.
More than a mere retrospective gesture, the project explores the dynamics of friendship as a unifying force, fostering a dialogue on commitment, resilience, and the value of relationships that transcend adversity. The works on display underscore the critical importance of stable communities in the artistic and cultural landscape.
In the context of Contemporar’s mission to redefine what a contemporary art institution might mean in Cluj Napoca, this exhibition invites artists whose practices explore various facets of dedication. Beyond the cliché of the phrase “Through thick and thin” as a marriage vow, it signifies an intention or action pursued at all costs, despite unfavorable circumstances. The works in the exhibition explore the perseverance of artists in navigating their profession and the myriad ways they traverse life, reflecting on how the choice to pursue art influences their daily existence.
At the same time, this initiative seeks to shed light on the marginal support art receives in Romania, where without alternative structures like artist-run spaces or independent collectives—there are few institutions dedicated to contemporary art. Such institutions, particularly those that engage with emerging artists, are rare. Through this exhibition and our broader activity, we aim to reclaim the place and importance of artists who have something to say when their time is now.
A local contemporary art museum should look outward as well as inward, identifying and nurturing the development of art by closely following the significant activities that form the foundation of this sector’s growth.