ANTIM

Few challenges are as inciting as a restoration project. They are humbling moments that remind us to ponder twice before making a gesture. It is a fine balance between the will of the individual in the moment and the weight of cumulated wills through history. It's about understanding the present, the future, and the past simultaneously. 
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This monastic complex carries within itself the story of power struggles. It's coming to existence is a good intrigue of religious figures. As history unfolds the suspense builds as the complex got reshaped by the will of Ceausescu. The Synodal Palace got repositioned to allow for the building of the apartment block leading to and framing the piazza just in front of the House of the People. Effortless gesture for the dictator but a fascinating technical feet by the engineers of the time. The Synodal Palace that was and still is to the day equipped with a big library got moved without even taking the books out of the shelf. 
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The complex carries also the story of a nation trying to match up and keep up with the artistic trends of Europe. The rosace, on the main facade of the main church, is a copy of the one from the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. Odd choice in an orthodox place of worship but seamlessly integrated into the overall concept. This longing to integrate fine art is also present in the paintings. Copies of famous Italian paintings are incorporated in the traditional wall painting covering the entire surface of the inside of the main church. 
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These are just a few teasers to the strange and interesting discoveries that came about through this project. I will not spoil any further the delight of the detective work that a restaurateur can enjoy.