Circular Catalysts
Mon, 06 Nov
|Romanian Cultural Institute
Circular Catalysts, a British Council programme which explores circular economy within the context of the climate crisis, will soon unfold at The Romanian Cultural Institute in London with a series of events underpinned by a number of artist residences in Romania.


Time & Location
06 Nov 2023, 18:00 – 21:00 GMT
Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH, UK
About the event
British Council Romania and the Romanian Cultural Institute in London are excited to present to the UK audience Circular Catalysts, a documentary photography exhibition exploring themes of sustainability, craft, contemporary design and local heritage.
The exhibition features objects, texts, sound, and a photographic documentary by Ioana Cîrlig, generated during five residencies where contemporary UK craftspeople were hosted by local organisations working with traditional craftspeople in rural Romania and will be opened until November 19 between 11 AM and 5 PM on Monday to Friday.
The second day of the programme features a public presentation entitled `"Introduction to Natural Rural Development: Rewriting the Peasant Culture Narrative in Romania". Keynote speech by Liviu Jicman, President of the Romanian Cultural Institute. Speakers: Monica Bota Moisin – Why We Craft/ Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative, Oana Costinaș - Patzaikin - Presentation of Ivan Patzaichin's Delta Project, Crina Mareș - Presentation of Remarkable Romania. After the talk, there will be an artist's tour of the exhibition.
Starting from the premise that the relationship between people and natural resources in rural Romania can be an asset in sustainable development and an inspiration to reconnect with the natural, participants exchanged knowledge and practices and experimented together, exploring the intersections of rural and urban and the potential of craft practices in individual and community well-being.
The collaborative and interdisciplinary residencies took place in the spring of 2023 and are part of a programme initiated by the British Council Romania and supported by the Romanian Cultural Institute. Provoking conversations around craft and sustainability, the programme highlights artisans of change exploring their cultural contexts in relation to emerging crafts and materials, traditional knowledge systems and current responses to the global climate emergency.
| On display |
Anoushka Cole | Gareth Neal | Studio AMOS | Lola Lely | Carol Carey | Patzaikin | KraftMade Research & Lab studio | Pro Patrimonio Foundation | KraftMade Research & Lab studio | Cluj Cultural Centre
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Photographic and sound documentation: Ioana Cîrlig
Sound design: Cosmin Postolache
Graphic design and signage: Studio Fluid
Accessibility consultancy: Supereroi printre noi and AMAIS