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Graphics Students Find Inspiration All Around
Cristina Mazilu
If I look at my own reflection in the mirror, probably the only thing I'll pay attention to is the state of my messy hair. But a graphics student sees an entire history of lines and curbs, a whole tale to express on the drawing board.
Victor Visan and Andrei Măscă, third-year graphics majors at the University of Arts in Bucharest, see the world as a continuous source of inspiration. For example, at the time of their interview they were working on a representation of Venus de Milo reflected in the mirror.
But their work was anything but a simple reproduction. Instead, it encompassed her appearance in the past, in the future or in a timeless dimension. "Reproduction is not at all the idea of our art. If I want to show what I exactly see, I will simply take a picture and not work for days on a project," Visan said.
The studio where they spend five hours each afternoon is a small room with pictures covering the white walls, papers everywhere, pencils, metal plates and drawing boards strewn all over. It looks like a mess but apparently disorder inspires them.
"We work better in here than at home because we enter the atmosphere. But it's true that we have colleagues who also practice their craft a lot out of school," Măscă said. "In the studio, there is also better light, more appropriate for work."
Visan recalled: "During the second year, we were working in the dark, with only two floodlights relieving the shadows. Now we need uniform light -- that's why you see those white papers covering the windows."
The two colleagues study under graphic artist Mircea Dumitrescu, who has become their mentor because he is the only one who guides them in drawing. "The other professors do not get involved in our practical works; they only teach theoretical stuff, like anatomy, history of art, perspective geometry or esthetics," said Visan.
The school program is structured around theoretical classes in the morning and practical work in the afternoon. As well as drawing, they also do engraving on metal plates and book illustrations. Final grades are awarded based on a portfolio which includes their best works. Most students usually pass the exams first time without needing to redo them.
The two say they know it's hard to make money as graphic artists in Romania. They could go into advertising for decent salaries but are not thrilled by the idea. And so the road ahead is uncertain.
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