On artist-run spaces: subjective analysis of recent initiatives

Artist-run spaces have produced and continue to produce local alternative discourse for quite some time, under conditions of institutional paralysis and precariousness, but also in response to the pragmatism, even cynicism, of the art market, prioritizing artistic freedom, experimentation, association and collaboration outside the boundaries produced by incapacitated public discourse and the influence of the big players in the art market.

Artist-run spaces and the people who sustain them face challenges such as financial instability, short lifespans and dependence on funding or personal investment, coupled with a significant dose of self-exploitation and burnout. Many of these initiatives appear to be unsustainable and operate in deeply precarious conditions, yet their impact on the local scene is undeniable, influencing both the institutional and commercial spheres.

This conversation will examine the impact and resilience of artist-run spaces in the current arts landscape. How do they navigate between independence and financial constraints? Why do they always remain relevant, even as the art market expands? What can a closer look at them reveal about the evolving needs of artists?

The conversation will be moderated by Mihai Iepure-Górski (b. 1982), a visual artist based in

Cluj-Napoca. He works in a variety of mediums trying his best to avoid falling prey to them, but often returns to a way of working that involves partnerships with other practitioners from various artistic fields such as: actors, performers, musicians, fashion designers and others. Since 2019, his practice is hybridizing and beginning to accumulate curatorial and publishing experience. Mihai has exhibited in alternative/ artist-run spaces such as CoLateral, White Cuib, Pilot (Cluj-Napoca); Minitremu (Timișoara); Institutul Prezentului, Sandwich, Cazul 101 (Bucharest); MAGMA (Sf. Gheorghe); Club Electroputere (Craiova).

Cristina Curcan (b. 1984) and Lucian Indrei (b. 1983) are visual artists based in Cluj-Napoca and co-founders of Lateral ArtSpace, an independent contemporary art platform established in April 2012.

Dedicated to supporting young and emerging artists, the platform fosters dialogue between local and international artists. Until December 2019, Lateral ArtSpace operated within Fabrica de Pensule. Cristina and Lucian have exhibited together and separately in alternative or artist-run spaces like: Lateral ArtSpace, MATCA artspace, White cuib, Launloc, Rubik, Pilot Space (Cluj-Napoca); Cazul 101, Centrul Artelor Vizuale (Bucharest), RAFT (Brașov), U10 (Belgrade), Pinkie Bowtie (Antwerp).

Lateral ArtSpace / lateralartspace.com / instagram.com/lateralartspace

Alexandra Mocan (b. 1991) is a visual artist from Cluj-Napoca, cofounder of MATCA artspace, an artist-run space initiated in 2017 in Cluj-Napoca. Alexandra’s recent practice includes exhibitions in various spaces, mostly artist-run/ alternative: Ștefania Palace, Indecis Artist Run Space (Timișoara); White Cuib, Zina Project Space, Atelier 4, MATCA artspace (Cluj-Napoca); Studio Armeană (Iași); MAGMA Contemporary (Sf. Gheorghe), Cazul 101 (Bucharest), U10 (Belgrade), Heerz Tooya (Veliko Tarnovo), 5533 (Istanbul), Przyszła Niedoszła (Warsaw), Apartamentul Deschis (Chișinău), and others.

MATCA artspace is an independent space initiated to address the need for accessible platforms for local artists. Through events and exhibitions, it serves as a medium for discovering local art while facilitating dialogue between emerging and established artists, both local and international.

MATCA artspace / instagram.com/matcaartspace

Dan Perjovschi (b. 1961) lives and works in Bucharest and Sibiu (Romania). He had personal exhibition at Tate Modern (London), MoMA (New York), Macro (Roma), Moderna Museet (Stockholm), Reykjavik Art Museum, Van Abbemuseum (Eindhoven), Ludwig Museum (Köln), Ludwig Museum (Aachen), Kunsthalle Hamburg, Kunsthalle Basel and Kiasma (Helsinki). Perjovschi has frequently exhibited in alternative or artist-run spaces like: Franklin Furnace (New York), Protokol and White Cuib (Cluj-Napoca), Balamuc and Indecis (Timișoara), Mesogeios (Crete), Schnittraum (Köln), Collective Edinburgh, In Context (Slănic Moldova), Hartware Dortmund, Ibid Projects (London), Attitude (Geneva) etc.