Ioana Aron

My project is an archive of the works and lives of artists from around the world who migrated to Paris. These artists are evidence that we are not shaped by a single culture, and history cannot be told from a single perspective.

The installation I propose evokes Paris in the early 20th century, a historical moment that I define through the strong and optimistic voices of these women artists who endured much in the hope of making their voices heard. "Dans Ma Rue" is an installation that brings together scenography, painting, and new media.

Every time I walk through Paris, I feel like I'm learning a bit more about the secrets of those who lived or passed through there before. My metaphor is the street, and everyone is a part of it. Through this installation, I tell the stories of artists such as Milada Marešová (Czech Republic), Oxana Shachko (Ukraine), Gabriella Lima (Brazil), Wanda Mihuleac (Romania), Misia Sert (Poland), Leonor Fini (Argentina), Carmen Herrera (United States), Mata Hari (Netherlands), Isadora Duncan (United States), Gertrude Stein (United States), Marguerite Duras (Vietnam), Anna-Eva Bergman (Sweden), Toyen (Czech Republic), Alice Halicka (Poland), Leonor Fini (Italy), Leonora Carrington (United Kingdom), Georgia Russel (United Kingdom), Cristina Escobar (Cuba), etc.

The way I design my facades represents a new approach in that I often transform pain or difficulties into strength, which I express in my art through vibrant and resonant colors. The whole concept is intended to evoke a sense of liberation and soaring in people. The exhibition space will resemble a fragment of a street. Visitors can enter and stroll through the facades, much like in a real street. Through this installation, I propose another way of seeing reality.

How some reinterpreted words look on my paintings

Contains these video pieces:

• “Harmonious Childhood: Guitar Tunes and Shared Songs” worked in collaboration with the musician Gabriella Lima, 2022
• “Memories in Motion” work part of the video project “A Music Box” started in 2016 in Constanța
• Paintings from the series “Family Letters”:
• “Letter for My Father”, a work made of two pieces, acrylic and collage on canvas and textile, 2021
• “Mute Letter for my Cousin”, acrylic and collage on canvas, 2021

Two text excerpts selected from personal notes made between 2015-2021

Two years ago, following the passing of my grandfather, I embarked on a creative journey. It took the form of a series of paintings, each one serving as a heartfelt letter to a different family member. I was raised in a vibrant, close-knit family, where music and dance were ever-present. However, over time, that vibrant atmosphere began to fade, and with it, so did my sense of self. Somehow, we're all here, existing in a different life, yet still moving forward alongside me on this shared journey.

Together, we navigate a terrain that was once fundamental to us, entwined in a labyrinth of memories. I often find myself within it, seeking a resurgence of the rebellious spirit I yearn to reclaim, in my unique way.

The evolving choices individuals make in shaping their lives and the activities they engage in are undeniably reshaping urban spaces. I find it captivating to delve into the intricacies of human thoughts, and in the Dans ma rue project, I discern a collective voice emerging from the streets of Paris, embodied by women artists. Paris, to me, is a living archive where history reflects and intertwines with the present. The imprints of the past are held with sanctity, prompting my return to my own history with the city in 2014. Each stroll through Paris feels like a journey into the secrets of those who lived or passed through before.

In the past two years, a significant aspect of my work has involved documenting the lives and artistic journeys of numerous artists. Living a perpetual performance, I travel and temporarily reside in various cities, immersing myself in the stories of these artists. Accompanied by my three-year-old son, many works naturally incorporate elements of domesticity, bearing witness to the reality of our experiences.

During one of my stays in Paris, I visited the renowned apartment at 27 rue de Fleurus. It coincided with the time when my little boy proudly proclaimed his newfound ability to "pee like the big boys." The installation 27 rue de Fleurus serves as a visual translation of my connection to the American writer Gertrude Stein. In this space, Gertrude and her brother Leo hosted gatherings attended by the most influential artists of their time—a place where recognition was earned. Intrigued by the story behind this address, I delved deeper into its history, yet my work extends beyond this narrative to echo the distinctive form of writing Gertrude Stein left behind.

Her work, much like mine, can be described as an assemblage—paragraphs and ideas juxtaposed without a linear narrative. She conceived of the whole as a complex map, challenging to unravel. Similarly, this installation forms part of a larger puzzle with diverse and seemingly disconnected pieces. The discourse I present transforms memories into resonant echoes. Through the Dans ma rue project, I aspire to construct a global self-portrait of the woman artist, shedding light on the voices of many women artists hidden in the shadows.

Exhibited in 2 group shows:

"Towards a Shared Vision", Centrul de Interes, Cluj, 2023, Curated by Mihai Zgondoiu

SNAC 2022, National Museum of Contemporary Art, 2022, curated by Malina Ionescu