I
was working as a linguistic consultant
in Bucharest when I met my husband.
I moved to Rome and, unable to
find the same work, reinvented my career.
Initially, I imported glass objects that
my uncle made. In Romania, we have an
amazing glassmaking tradition, though it’s
not that well known. After a while, I inevi-
tably caught the bug, went to Venice to
learn the craft and slowly started creating
my own glass designs. I’ve now shown in
group and solo exhibitions and my work
has been recognised with a prize the city of
Rome awards to foreign artists each year.
I will always be Romanian, and not just
because I’ve never changed my citizenship.
It is a spiritual connection. With 170,000
Ï
Magda Nica
Profession
Glass artist;
owner of glass and jewellery
boutique La Fornace
Years in Rome
14½
Home town
Galati
M
irela: “They say you come to
Rome for love, for the food,
for the bella vita.”
Dina: “That happened to us; our stories
are similar. We were here on study and
research scholarships, met our husbands,
and stayed. We had been friends for some
years when we decided to start working
together on design objects. Our brand
O-POSE was launched in 2010, with bags,
scarves, jewellery and other accessories.”
Mirela: “Having a certain Transylvanian
sensibility, we sometimes feel it clashes with
the Mediterranean culture. Our materials
are heavy, warm and textural. Art is
dictated by a lot of rules here, but we work
more fluidly. We like to excite curiosity,
make people think in a different way.”
Dina: “With our creations, we try to
filter traditions, while at the same time we
are aware that we live in the birthplace
of western civilization. The past is so very
present here – in a contrast we enjoy.”
Mirela: “Whenever I’ve been away for a
while, the first thing I do when I get back
is to go and have pizza at a focacceria near
Via Della Pace. It’s not just about the food
or that place, it’s a visceral pleasure.”
Ë
Dina Dancu &
Mirela Pribac
Profession:
Designers/
Owners of design brand O-POSE
Years in Rome:
Six/seven
Home town:
Fa˘gara˘s/Târgu Mures
Romanians in and surrounding Rome, the
community is very strong. It pleases me to
see a great interest in Romanian literature
or art, often initiated by the Romanian
Cultural Institute. But, they say ‘Roma
Caput Mundi’
(
Rome, capital of the world)
for a reason. Nothing beats this city and
I wouldn’t know where else to live. I must
have taken hundreds of pictures of the
Ponte Sant’Angelo, the bridge of angels,
and in each image there’s a different light
falling on the statues. If I need a break
from it all, I go to the Gianicolo, a hill
with a spectacular view. Among the
students and tourists, I have a slice of pizza
and I feel like I’m hovering over
the city for a moment.”
THE BEAUTIFUL PONTE
SANT’ANGELO
DECEMBER-JANUARY 2012/13
WIZZ MAGAZINE
23
