Seasons End / ISHO House

Ștefan Bertalan (b. 1930, Răcăştie, Romania – d. 2014, Timişoara, Romania) is a central figure of the Romanian neo-avant-garde, a member and a co-founder of group 111 in 1965 and of Sigma group in 1970. In an attempt at finding a personal artistic language and at detaching himself from academic conformism, he guides his theoretical researches towards Paul Klee’s texts, the principles of constructivism and the model of the Bauhaus School. Ștefan Bertalan was represented at the 55th edition of the Venice Biennial (2013). Several solo shows have been dedicated to his work, such as De Natura Rerum, Johnen Galerie, Berlin (2012); Stefan Bertalan, Muzeul de Artă, Timişoara (2012); Quadro Galerie, Klausenburg (2011); Stefan Bertalan, Muzeul de Artă, Timişoara (2011); The Self Punishing One, Mogosoaia Palace (2009); Drumuri la răscruce, Galeria ArTe, Bucuresti (2005); Autoportretul an arta contemporană romanească, Muzeul de Artă, Timişoara (2001); O encefalogramă politico-ecologică, Performance Festival Zona 3, Timişoara (1999).

Ștefan Bertalan, Maxwell’s Demon (1967-68), black and white textile threads in a wooden frame, Il Palazzo Enciclopedico. Photo credit: Francesco Galli. Courtesy of the Art Museum, Timișoara.