„And In a Silent Reverie She’s Waiting“
Ivan Lazarov and Bulgarian Art in the First Half of the Twentieth Century
Curator: Lyuben Domozetski
18 September – 27 October 2019
And In a Silent Reverie She’s Waiting… is an exhibition commemorating the 130th 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.
