We’ve all been pampered viewers: hard to bring to a museum, yet very curious. In front of an abstract work, we often ask: “Is this art? Could I make something like this? Why does it need so many explanations?”
At MARe, we believe that these very questions are part of the artistic process. The course invites you to understand how looking is constructed, how context transforms ordinary objects into art, and how our reactions become part of the artwork.
We invite you to 4 course sessions, plus a fifth BONUS session — a practical curatorial exercise.
Saturday | 11:00–12:30 | MARe Auditorium |
We’ll say it from the start: this course is not for those already up to date with the ABCs of contemporary art. If you’re not in that category, then “Congratulations!” — the course is for YOU, especially if you want to: 1/ understand concepts and phenomena of contemporary art; 2/ develop a visual and critical language; 3/ discover the museum as a space for dialogue, not just contemplation; 4/ take part in a hands-on curatorial exercise
For those who successfully complete all 4 sessions + the BONUS one, we’re preparing a big Congrats! and a Certificate of Completion.
Lyrical abstraction, geometric abstraction, minimalism
When artists move away from figurative art and choose only color, form, or gesture, it doesn’t mean “emptiness.” On the contrary: it intensifies emotion. A white canvas or a black square becomes a projection space for the viewer, a place where meaning is not given but built together with the viewer.
Date: season 2 of the course will be announced soon!
Action, performance, installation. Artist–curator.
In the second half of the 20th century, artists no longer created just objects—they also took on the role of curators. They selected works, placed them in dialogue, and turned the exhibition itself into an artwork. Thus, art moved from the studio into public space and redefined what an “artwork” means.
Date: season 2 of the course will be announced soon!
Emotion vs. aesthetics
Contemporary art is not limited to quick reactions. Beyond the first impression, it offers questions, ambiguous emotions, and challenges. Learning to “read” a work means seeing connections, intentions, and contexts—not just judging through personal taste.
Date: season 2 of the course will be announced soon!
Conceptualism, feminism, institutional critique
Contemporary art is no longer just a beautiful object, but a way of taking a stand. From feminism to institutional critique, artists turn their works into political, social, or ethical gestures. The viewer becomes part of this dialogue and participates—consciously or not—in the position the artwork expresses.
Date: season 2 of the course will be announced soon!
Practical curatorial exercise: concept + micro-exhibition
[ For those who completed the first 4 courses, this session is a BONUS. ]
You have looked, asked, and understood. Now it’s your turn to create.
You will step into the behind-the-scenes world of curatorial thinking: you will select works from the MARe collection, develop a concept, and propose a micro-exhibition. It’s your chance to shift from viewer to curator for a day.
It’s not just an exercise, but an experience that shows you how an exhibition is built—from idea to message. You will receive direct feedback from the MARe team and discover the satisfaction of turning your gaze into a real project.
Date: season 2 of the course will be announced soon!
Q: Is this a painting course?
A: No, it is a course about understanding and interpreting contemporary art.
Q: Do I need to have art knowledge?
A: No, it’s dedicated to anyone who is curious.
Q: Can I attend just one session?
A: Yes, but session V is available for free only to those who purchase the full package.
Q: Do I receive a diploma at the end?
A: Yes, participants who attend all sessions (including the bonus course) receive a Certificate of Completion offered by MARe.
Images: Roald Aron & Constantin Rusu
