Back In Time Again

Last night I made a list with all the events going on on local level and added the end date to each event, so I can make a plan and visit them all as missing them would be a shame. Right now there are eight events on my list and today I was able to visit two of them.

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What I'd like to write about today is the art exhibition called 2Vass, exhibiting the work of two amazing Transylvanian artists, Áron Vass (1891 - 1979), sculptor and Albert Vass (1896 – 1969). They not only share the same name, but there's a kinship there as well as they were cousins. As you can see, none of them is among us, this is why the artworks exhibited here had to be collected from private collections, which is never easy.

For me, these are special occasions and I'm always grateful for having the opportunity to see them and take photos as well, because once the exhibition is over, there's a chance you may never see them again. Anyway, let's see what I have prepared for you today.

I'm not going to lie, all I knew about the two artists before visiting the exhibition was their origin and that one was a painter and the other a sculptor and that none of them are with us anymore.

This is what I first saw, when I stepped into the first room. Surprise, surprise, but a very good one. Maybe now you understand why the title of the post is Back In Time Again.

Albert Vass - Student Monument at the Promenade - oil, 48cm x 33cm

It's been just a few months since we had autumn in my country, so I can't really say I miss it, but looking at this scene, can't deny that I envy the calmness this painting transmits and those colors that we're going to see again only in September or October. I love it and would be happy to have such a park nearby.

Albert Vass - Small College - oil, 39cm x 30cm

This is where the artist shows you which era he represents. This painting takes me back to my grandparents' time, not that I lived back then, obviously, but that's what schools, and boarding schools looked like then. Small communities, small educational institutions, built and sponsored by novelty. Looking at it, reminds me of how tough those winters must have been for students and not only. Really well captured on canvas.

Albert Vass - Nagyenyed's College - oil, 50cm x 70cm

It's not by chance, that the painter chose this college as his subject. What you see on canvas is the famous Bethlen Gábor College built in 1622, the institute that gave Transylvania so many graduated that became famous later, among which, of course, Albert Vass too. Last year I drove past it, but we didn't stop, so maybe one day I can document it properly. Till then, you can enjoy this nice painting.

Albert Vass - Promenade - oil, 43cm x 34cm

Albert Vass - Torockó - oil, 38cm x 30cm

Torockó (Rimetea), is a former mining town, under the triple peak of Székelykő, its inhabitants settled in Szeklers. The settlement is the westernmost Szekler border of Transylvania, and perhaps one of its most beautiful villages, Hungaricum.

We're changing style here, as what you see on the canvas is the village life of people from the interwar period, or even before. What I like about this painting is the rough style.

Albert Vass - Churchgoers - oil, 100cm x 70cm

Yes, a snippet of life of those who used to dress up in their festive clothes on Sunday and go to church. Those times are long gone, that lifestyle is also long gone, but this painting is a lovely one. I like how it captures the moment in front of the church's gate.

Albert Vass - The Oldest House In Torockó - oil, 30cm x 21cm

The scene is well known to whoever has been to Transylvanian villages, that still have these old houses. What I like here is the lovely colors and the brushstrokes. It's not the fine brushstroke some are used to, it's a different use of the brush, but for me this is not an impediment in liking the painting.

Now let's see who likes this kind of art, that takes you back a century or two in time? Let me know in a comment.

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