Antoaneta Tica (Romania)

Let Them Be(e)! - the film

Due to COVID-19 and the international freight restrictions in place in the country of origin, Let Them Be(e)! was unable to be delivered. We thank the artist for providing these images of the finished work, which were able to be included in the film.

Visual artist Antoaneta Tica is interested in enhancing the expressiveness of the human body through the costume, being particularly attracted to the characteristic of the costume to convey the messages impregnated in it by both creator and performer. Topics approached by the artist are always related to the living world, and refer to nature or to environmental concepts. Inspired by organic life, her works are dominated by wavy lines that come to the surface from inside the fabric, or disappear into it to outline spectacular shapes as part of the final three-dimensional structures. By combining traditional techniques with innovative ones, the artist obtains unexpectedly dynamic shapes, which give the works a special visual appearance and vitality.

Concerned about the future of nature, she believes that environmental problems have become more and more obvious, and that artists have a duty to access the collective consciousness, and to challenge the audience to think about issues such as climate change and environmental awareness.

Let them Be(e)’ follows this environmental theme, with a specific focus on bees. Antoaneta says: ‘Without bees, most plants will not be able to grow anymore. Deprived of the essence of life, the Earth would become a desert where man could no longer live’. The design emphasises duality, demonstrating ‘…two opposite aspect of nature, each half of the garment, right - flourishing and humming, left - dry and silent, representing its life and death’.

‘Let them Be(e)’ is made from papier-mached egg cartons. The cartons themselves are coloured, therefore no paint is used. Highlighting the theme of duality, two textures are shown, one as cracked mud, the other like plants and flowers.

Images - Materials and Making Of

Images - Process and Making Of

Images - Completed Garment