The project focused on the participation of the five selected students from the Master Fine Arts – Aleyna Günay, Yoo Ra Hong, Mathias Lüscher, Nicolae Zamsa and Selina Zürrer – in the fifth edition of the Art Encounters Biennial in Timișoara from 19 May to 16 July 2023.
Together with the curator Adrian Notz and his curatorial team – Cristina Bută, Monica Dănilă, Edith Lazar, Ann Mbuti, Cristina Stoenescu and Georgia Țidorescu – they contributed in supporting the development and progress of the Biennial (among other things, in the form of discussions and with (remote) participation in the programme). In mid-July, the excursion to Timișoara took place, which enabled the students to get in touch with artists on site, as well as to realise their own work within the context of the closing event (accompanied by the curatorship and in exchange with local artists). Thanks to the support of the school's dean, Camil Mihăescu, the students created an exhibition at the Faculty of Arts and Design Timișoara and presented their work in a public presentation.
Back in Zurich, a retrospective discussion took place to address the experiences and challenges gathered on site. The strengthening of trans- and multiculturalism, which are already intrinsic features of the Art Encounters Biennial, was key to the project. In the context of the Biennial and its location in Eastern Europe, the project also contributed to reflecting on the own perception of differences.