The second panel of Sofia Paper Art Fest 2018 opens on 9 May, Europe Day, with the exhibition “Messages in Paper” at One Monev Gallery. The fourth exhibition in the series presenting Bulgarian artists adds a distinctive touch to the overall character of this year’s edition. At the two venues—the National Palace of Culture and Arte Gallery—artists from different generations are presented, brought together by diverse concepts and connected to the specific features of each space and the festival’s objectives. Here, the introduction to contemporary Bulgarian art within the framework of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU is offered through works by several artists distinguished in the annual AMATERAS competition. As a gallery focused on presenting current forms of art through its distinctive approach, One Monev effortlessly integrates interpretations of paper into its program. The selection of works encompasses a broad spectrum of media and a diverse interweaving of artistic themes. The subtle, refined sensibility of Tsveta Petrova’s and Laura Dimitrova’s installations contrasts with the powerful presence of the abstract imagery and forms created by Simeon Panayotov and Desislava Deneva. Simon Todorov impresses with a video that radiates elegant impressions and an installation with an ethereal aesthetic. In harmony with his work are the spiritual journeys and interplay with fire in Valentin Balev’s video. Veselka Nikolova’s contrasting, provocative sculptures accentuate Zdravka Kostadinova’s meditative graphic reliefs. Also present in the gallery’s minimalist space is Adriana Boyadzhieva’s magnetic light sculpture. Together, the artists create a compelling experience through the language of a field that until recently was little known—paper art. The organizers of Sofia Paper Art Fest and the curator of One Monev Gallery have prepared a surprise for the Bulgarian public on 19 May, during the 2018 Night of Museums and Galleries: a demonstration by Finnish sculptor Kai Rentola. Throughout the exhibition, visitors will encounter the captivating world of paper art—a field that entered the art scene relatively recently, yet has established a new aesthetic within the understanding of contemporary art in museums and galleries worldwide.
