The exhibition series Ways of Collecting explores various approaches to collecting by unveiling local and international private collections that are seldom available to the public. In post-communist countries especially, where for decades every collection accessible to the public was held solely by state institutions, the role of private collectors remains somewhat of a mystery. Who collects, and why? What do they collect? What is the relationship between artists and their collectors? How do private and public collections coexist?

Lost in the Moment That Follows, the second exhibition in the Ways of Collecting series, is dedicated to the collection of philanthropist Ovidiu Șandor, who is based in the city of Timișoara. Focusing on Romanian art, Șandor’s collection traces artistic practices, movements, and ideas that have greatly contributed to reflections on our common recent history. Through the exploration of topical themes in contemporary art such as identity, the human condition, and nature, the exhibition juxtaposes works by emblematic figures of the historical avant-garde such as Constantin Brâncuși, Victor Brauner, and Brassaï, important works by post-war avant-garde artists such as André Cadere and Ana Lupaș, and the works of contemporary artists such as Mircea Cantor, Ciprian Mureșan, Ioana Nemeș, and many others. The collection covers a variety of media, from painting to installation, drawing, photography, and video.

The Ovidiu Șandor Collection is exemplary in the region of southeastern Europe for it demonstrates how the operations of a collection can contribute significantly to the improvement of local conditions related to artistic production. This has been accomplished not only through the acquisition of works by Romanian artists but also through the long-term program of the Art Encounters Foundation, which carries out complementary activities to the collection and acts as a meeting point and an open platform for contemporary art connecting Timișoara with other spaces in the global art scene.

The exhibition Lost in the Moment That Follows provides a detailed insight into Șandor’s vision for the collection while also showcasing artistic practices that for more than a century have been creating a space for critical reflection on society and our everyday lives.

Kunsthalle Praha