The project originates from the encounter of three women with different artistic paths, whose destinies intersected at a crucial moment in Romania’s history – the period immediately following the end of the Second World War. It is centered around Lee Miller, a renowned photographer who visited Romania twice – first in 1938, and then in 1946, before and after the war; Lena Constante, an artist best known for her innovative contributions to textile art; and Elena Pătrășcanu, a scenographer, promoter of puppet theater, and active participant in leftist political movements.

The starting point of the project is a series of photographs taken by Lee Miller in 1946 in Bucharest, depicting Lena Constante and Elena Pătrășcanu collaborating on the creation of puppets intended for puppet theater performances. One of the most charged images shows Lena Constante holding up to the camera a puppet representing Adolf Hitler – a gesture of strong symbolic value in a context where leftist artists and intellectuals, united by antifascist ideals, operated within networks that transcended national and cultural boundaries. Beyond this scene with its clear political connotation, the exhibition also includes a series of photographs taken by Lee Miller in Romania, reflecting her deep interest in local folklore. Accompanied by Harry Brauner, Miller explores these themes in a way that departs from the conventions of ethnographic reportage, offering a subtle and dynamic perspective focused on the representation of female figures and their essential role in the spiritual and communal life of rural communities.

More details on Salonul de Proiecte website.