In the heart of Cluj, where the city's pulse beats the strongest, you can find a new temporary conceptual installation: The Heart of the Festival. Inspired by a creation from Anca Boeriu (artist, professor and cultural manager) and Andreea Sandu (curator, cultural manager and founder of NAC/Galateca), this reconfiguration transforms the original Heart of the City* installation into an emblematic symbol of the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF). Made from papier-mâché using recycled paper, the heart beats with a steady rhythm, evoking the vibrant connection between the festival, the city, and its people. As an ecological statement, the artwork also reflects TIFF's responsible spirit, emphasizing sustainability and environmental awareness.
Surpassing the spatial limits of the pedestrian area from Universității Square, near the festival's headquarters at Casa TIFF, the heart extends through a network of arteries that traverse the entire city, surfacing at each key location on the festival map, connecting to Unirii Square, Arta Cinema, Victoria Cinema, The Cultural House, Florin Piersic Cinema, the Art Museum, and more.
This network, which will pulse with light at night, reflects the connective slogan of TIFF.23, "in a reelationship", symbolizing the emotional and cultural bonds facilitated by the festival. The "Heart of the Festival" is not just an impactful artistic installation but also an invitation to introspection and connection. The branching network creates a vibrant bridge between the festival, the city, and its inhabitants, inviting to exploration, dialogue, understanding, discovery, and love. It reminds us that TIFF is more than just a series of film screenings; it is a collective experience that unites us through cinematic art and the multitude of related events (concerts, exhibitions, meetings at the TIFF Lounge, etc.) that take place throughout the festival.
Experience the magic of TIFF and synchronize your heartbeats with the Heart of the City and the Festival.
*The Heart of the City installation is part of the Neo Art Connect Annual Art and Science Exhibition, NAC, second edition, taking place in 11 cities until July 30 (NAC map on www.neoartconnect.ro) and features a series of exhibitions, interventions, and multimedia works that discuss the impact of new technologies and climate change on both individuals and society. The theme of the Annual Exhibition is Changing Environments, and the project was initiated by the Galateca Gallery in Bucharest and the NeoArt Romania Cultural Association, and in 2024 is co-organized with Unith2B architects.