Through Thick and Thin/La Bine și La Rău
(Matca Artspace)

“La Bine și La Rău / Through Thick and Thin” is an exhibition that explores relationships, solidarity, and resilience within artistic communities, reflecting both on our role as an artist-run space and on the commitment of artists to sustaining their practice in challenging contexts.

Traversing a part of MATCA artspace’s journey, the proposed exhibition brings together artists who have been consistent or representative of the space’s program over its 8 years of activity, in a selection meant to reflect the key concept that marks artistic continuity: dedication. Inspired by artistic collectives and groups from more or less recent history, known for their relationships rooted in trust and support, the exhibition questions the place of artist-run spaces within broader cultural networks, highlighting their role not only as platforms for creation, but also as ecosystems for support and collaboration.

More than a simple retrospective gesture, we explore the dynamics of friendship as a unifying force, foregrounding a discussion about commitment, resilience, and the value of relationships that transcend adversity. Through the works presented and the invited artists, we reflect on the importance of a stable community in artistic and cultural life.

In the context of the response that the space Contemporar seeks to provide—specifically the attempt to define what an institution dedicated to contemporary art could mean in Cluj-Napoca—the exhibition invites artists who, through their practice, explore different aspects of the idea of commitment. In a more detailed interpretation, beyond the cliché “Through Thick and Thin,” traditionally known as a vow exchanged in marriage, the phrase defines an intention or action aimed to be carried out at any cost, despite unfavorable circumstances. Through the exhibited works, we explore the perseverance of artists in pursuing their profession and the diverse ways of navigating life, reflecting on how the decision to be an artist influences day-to-day existence. Some of the selected works explore systems of support, either through metaphorical approaches or through initiatives or actions that transcend the individual perspective of the author, reflecting and promoting the local artistic community. Additionally, the exhibition includes contributions that address methods of adaptation during crises, discuss the financial pressures faced by artists, and do not shy away from self-critique or an ironic view of the conditions of the artistic profession. For us, as a space within the cultural ecosystem, it has always been essential to discuss the challenges artists face and to present works that reflect both a statement and the broader context of this profession.

At the same time, through this intervention in Contemporar, we aim to comment on the marginal way art is supported in Romania, a place where, in the absence of alternative structures such as artist-run spaces or other independent collectives, institutions dedicated to contemporary art are scarce—especially those that actively collaborate with young artists. Through this exhibition and our overall activity, we seek to reclaim the place and importance of artists who have something to say while their time is still now. A local contemporary art center should look both outward and inward, identifying and encouraging the development of art by carefully following the significant activities that lay the foundation for this sector’s growth.