Transhumance: A Journey of Cultural Passage

The exhibition Transhumance: A Journey of Cultural Passagedelves into the ancient practice of transhumance, a tradition that involves the seasonal movement of livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures. This practice is not merely an agricultural one; it is deeply embedded in cultural heritage, symbolizing the rhythms of life, adaptation, and the blending of different environments. Similarly, the exhibition reflects these movements through the lens of contemporary art, exploring how artists navigate and integrate various cultural contexts.

By situating this exploration in three distinct venues across Romania and Sweden — ETAJ Artist-Run Space, Rumänska Institutet, and Studio 44 — the exhibition underscores the dynamic exchange of ideas and the nurturing of artistic practices across borders. Each space is distinguished by a specific color code and thematic focus, creating a cohesive narrative that draws from ethnology, folklore, and chromatology, along with personal mythologies and individual practices.

The exhibition invites visitors to visualize the parallels between the nomadic practices of transhumance and the cultural migrations that artists undertake. In doing so, it highlights the ongoing dialogue between maintaining cultural identity and embracing new influences, much like the shepherds and Sami people who traverse landscapes, thus fostering a harmonious coexistence between tradition and novelty.

Through these three spaces, this exhibition illustrates the cyclical nature of cultural exchange and artistic growth. It invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys and the ways in which they navigate and integrate different cultural landscapes in their practices, artworks and other collaborative projects.

Color: Green

Origin and Departure

At ETAJ Artist-Run Space, the exhibition begins with the theme of Origin and Departure symbolized by the color green. This space represents the fertile valleys and the beginning of the transhumance journey. Just as the shepherds prepare for their seasonal migration, artists, too, embark on journeys of exploration and discovery.

Ethnologically, the green valleys are a metaphor for the roots and heritage that form the foundation of cultural identity. Folklore often speaks of lush beginnings and the promise of growth. In this context, the artworks at ETAJ explore themes of origin, departure, and the initial impulse to venture into the unknown, setting the stage for a broader cultural passage.