New Faces from the Old World – Masks Made from Recyclable Materials
Exhibition of painting, graphic art, and sculpture – Sibiu Art High School
The exhibition New Faces from the Old World – Masks Made from Recyclable Materials, organized by Sibiu Art High School, brings together paintings, graphics, and sculptures created by students in grades V–XII, under the guidance of specialized teachers. Open to the public from June 13 to July 31, 2025, on the ground floor of the Sibiu Promenade, the exhibition is part of the program of the 32nd edition of the Sibiu International Theater Festival.
The chosen theme, the mask, has deep roots in human culture, from archaic rituals and religious ceremonies to ancient theater and medieval carnivals. Over time, the mask has been not only an object covering the face, but also a powerful symbol of identity, mystery, and transformation.
In modern visual art, the mask underwent a radical reinterpretation, especially at the beginning of the 20th century. Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque were deeply influenced by the shapes and expressiveness of African masks, which contributed decisively to the birth of Cubism. These artists were joined by Amedeo Modigliani, with his stylized, elongated portraits, as well as the iconic mask used in the creations of Paul Klee and Constantin Brâncuși, who explored the essential and symbolic forms of the mask. This influence led to profound changes in the visual language of the era and contributed to the detachment of Western art from academic conventions.
The present exhibition is not a historical research, but a contemporary reflection on this symbol. The students worked under the guidance of their teachers, approaching the theme of the mask from various perspectives, from those inspired by history and traditions to interpretations related to identity, appearance, communication, or isolation. A significant part of the works also includes recyclable materials, which adds an extra layer of meaning: a reflection on how we can transform scraps, forgotten or fragile objects into forms with expression and meaning. The mask thus becomes a pretext and a starting point for dialogue, rediscovery, and reimagining of who we are and what we choose to show to the world.
Coordinating teachers:
Anca Serfözö, Alexandru Cînean, Cezar Stanciu, Constantin Fîntînă, Crina F. Oprean, Diana Varga, Florin Viorel
Curators: Prof. Bianca Florea, Alexandru Cînean Romania
The online subscription is valid for the entire duration of the the Sibiu International Theater Festival, 20 June - 29 June 2025
The online single ticket can be purchased until the start time of the online event and is valid until the end of its broadcast.
Online performances are available for 24 hours from the broadcast time. If you purchase your ticket after the start of the broadcast, access will only be available until 24 hours after the start time. For example: if your performance started at 17:00, you will be able to purchase your ticket until 15:00 the following day.
After the first access of each performance, the viewing code is valid for 4 hours.
Steps to follow for viewing online events during the 31st edition of the Sibiu International Theater Festival:
Go to www.sibfest.ro In the menu at the top of the page, press the "PROGRAMME & TICKETS" button
Select the BY CATEGORY button, and at the All Events button, select Online
Scroll to the desired event and access the event
Press the View Stream
Enter the access code in the newly opened window
Scroll to the video player and press the "play" (triangle) button
Enjoy!
Situations of non-functionality can be reported at any time to the e-mail address scena@sibfest.ro or by phone, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., on the phone number: 0728048945