Art changes people’s perception of culture and identity within the narrative of the broader, global context

and becomes a medium to reinforce the mobilization and activism of the new generations. This concept will
be the base of a national-level project that can effectively link cultural institutions and academic
establishments. The extension of learning opportunities through networking and collaboration between
institutions is something that hadn’t yet been achieved in the Romanian Educational System, and there is
an urgent need for competent professionals to work together in order to establish it.

On the one hand, the arts are promoting greater awareness and understanding of community issues,
contributing to shifts in thinking and attitude. Artists and cultural organizations across the country, immerse
in civic engagement and apply the power of creativity to inform, change, and inspire society, as the cultural
organization “Fabrica de Pensule” from Cluj does. Building long-lasting links between cultural institutions
and student communities is necessary so that the young generations will acquire the set of skills needed -
such as emotional intelligence and cultural awareness – to make long-lasting changes, nationally and
globally.

On the other hand, general population tends to be quite skeptical towards new concepts that regard their
communities directly. Many individuals consider culture as the last concern when thinking in the broader
context, filled with issues in all fields. They do not see art as a medium to educate and evolve spiritually.
Changing the deep-seated beliefs of Communist-era generations is a complex process that hadn’t been
achieved in almost thirty years from the fall of the regime.

However, I stand on the positive side, believing that young generations will discover their role as global
citizens and seek the development of the country’s soft power. Art education must be qualitative and
accessible for all young people, backed up by the fact that the project will develop authentic relationships
with the academic institutions, and will be a platform for collaboration, reflection, participation, and the
exchange of ideas.

Having experienced schooling in Romania, I have witnessed the flaws in its academic and cultural
management: lack of communication between the institutions. Also, back in 2016, when organizing and
leading art workshops for the Roma minority children at Saint Stelian Association in Bucharest, I realized
the significance of introducing them to a whole new world of ideas. As exposed to the creative process,
they showed subtle, positive changes in behavior and willingness to learn more.

In the position of Minister of Culture, I would view the situation in a much broader context, on how soft
power and the arts can influence the course of other aspects such as International Relations and economic
development. Given this title, there are possibilities of introducing this project at an international level,
partnering with other EU countries with a similar situation. In comparison with other disciplines, cultural
management in Romania is still in its infancy. However, a multitude of training opportunities has arisen for
cultural managers in the past years; as the Minister of Culture, funding and supporting it is possible to
create the professional network needed for the project. Next, the agendas blocked at a national level will be
decentralized and competent cultural managers will be assigned to operate them locally, developing an
Open-Source Community between schools and art institutions. In addition, by cooperating with the local
community and with universities - where possible - the quality of the activities will increase.

The newly launched program, while offering galleries and museums tours, culture talks, activities, and
workshops, will give students from each school the chance to independently design their extracurricular
activities as well, throughout the Students’ Council. Hence, education will gradually transform into a more
active pursuit. As a result, the interest in arts-related careers will expand, because there would be new
opportunities to approach and explore this domain. Besides, people will become aware of the diversity of
others’ cultural values and identity, and more tolerant towards racial differences.

To sum up, building a local-based network of institutions directed by cultural managers, which will develop
extensive programs among schools to bring the academic system closer to the art world is a process with
mostly indirect results. Despite that, it will have an enormous impact on a nation’s mindset on the long term.
Romanian Government should invest in non-formal education, soft power, and in the next generation, as it
is the wisest thing to do for a brighter future.

Personal Essay – meeting Pınar

When you think of the place where a mind-changing adventure might start, certainly it’s not a Subway
restaurant.

I spent my last July in Bucharest annoying renowned artists, learning Python and searching for Chinese
books. On a warm, sunny Monday, I was reading Llosa’s The Storyteller, when a girl sat close to my table, in
the
restaurant. She asked me if I could look after her DSLR while she went to take her order. After coming back,
we
started chatting; Her name was Pinar, lived in Ankara, Turkey, and went on a trip here in Romania with some
friends. She confessed me that she had reserved a room on Booking, but it didn't resemble the photos at all
and
was in awful condition. “So what are we waiting for here? Let’s get your money back and find another place!”
I
said.

In one hour's time, we showed up at the hotel. After taking her baggage from the grungy room, we
descended the squeaky Art Deco stairs, headed to the reception and approached a dull employee who
seemed as
if he has spent his entire life at that desk. While I was explaining the situation, his face was turning from placid
to
defensive, and not much time had passed until the discussion proceeded into an argument. There is nothing
to do
about some people's hostility and poor morals. In the end, he resentfully gave the money back and scowled
as we
left.

Wandering on a quiet narrow street, she explained further that, although her friends went on a one-night trip
in Transylvania, she chose to remain here to explore Bucharest. And we surely did it that day, venturing into
the
heart of the city and showing Pinar all the best things it has to offer. Its soul evoked a modernity heavily
accented
by the strands of time, topped with relics and picturesque streets that seem cropped from a Pissarro. We
were
mesmerized by the serene byzantine courtyard of the Stavropoleos church and bounced between street
vendors
and historical buildings that showed breathtaking facades high above, smaller and smaller until they
disappeared
as we walked into the Japanese garden in Herastrau Park.
We laid on the fresh-cut grass and talked about our families, backgrounds, and dreams. Back home, Pinar
had a lovely family, enjoyed photography, and desired to become an astronaut. In essence, there was no
difference between us. We both came from cities where layers of historical depth and intrigue lay behind
every
corner, tried to make the tiniest difference in the lives of others, had loving, trustful friends, and even the same
smile.

Pinar stayed at my place that night. She met her mates the next day, got the traditional Dracula T-shirt and
flew back to Turkey feeling grateful. We have remained good friends. Getting to meet Pinar out of the blue
and
helping her when she needed it the most had the greatest influence on my perception of the world and its
diversity. It made me desire to befriend people from all cultures and live that day over again. Despite
experiencing different realities, marked by their own social and ethical values, I am thrilled to dig deep and
find out how similar we are.

If we put aside the clutter in our lives, this is what sticks with us: the unique individuals you meet, the rare
contemplative moments, and the soul-fulfilling experiences that nobody can give you ready-made. This, as
well as the desire to find answers to the endless questions that urge my head and to reflect the world through
what I create, makes me feel alive, content and determined to search for more.

Why NYU

It is estimated 65% of today’s children will have jobs that don’t exist in the present. Therefore, an individual
needs to become a lifelong learner, intuitively following one’s curiosity and developing social skills, a strong
network, and empathy. I consider NYUAD the only university that has accomplished this because it gives
students
a unifying, global perspective of today’s dilemmas and challenges.

One aspect, however, struck me about NYUAD’s identity, as well as mine: It does not build walls to
separate the academics from our experiences but rather embraces life and the world as essential elements
of
learning. The Core Curriculum - which I perceive like a marvel, as it doesn't exist in my country - makes
possible
all of it. Who wouldn't want to attend courses ranging from biodiversity to studying One Thousand and One
Nights?

I wish to be surrounded by the work of people with a mission, and I long for the role models NYUAD Art
Department offers, like John Torreano, David Darts, and filmmaker Scandar Copti. These are the types of
individuals I want to associate myself with, as well as with fellow students from all the corners of the world,
who
make the best companions on this four-year journey. Even more exciting is the possibility of spending
semesters
and J-terms overseas at NYU's global centers. I would love to experience one in Ghana, study Anthropology
and
pursue a documentary on West-African culture.

As a part of NYU, I believe I can channel my enthusiasm and empathy towards serving the community, push
my limitations, start a group that can bring recognition to the growing visual arts scene of Abu Dhabi, and
possibly
partner with the Louvre - which is just two miles away from campus! I seek to join the varsity team, as I have
put
my heart and soul into volleyball and not consider giving it up, and volunteer inside and outside the campus.
Also,
I look forward to being a potential reporter at The Gazelle, NYUAD’s publication – I've been poring over it for
an
entire month and it is truly impressing.

I am astounded by how well my aspirations fall in line with those of the university. There is no doubt that
NYU’s 2022s will be an innovating and distinct generation of students and to be part of it would mean the
world to me.

Artist Statement
My subject matter tends to be those passages and hidden structures that reside within the mundane -
the in-between spaces of our lives that we do not notice. I am interested in ways that this is produced
through different mediums – painting, digital art, photography, sculpture, performance. My current
research focuses on how materials influence the outcome and how to represent images of the invisible
in subjects of the ordinary; their return under constantly changing conditions inspires me to be aware of
the world and myself, in ever new images, and to take risks in during the creative process.