Pavilion complex within the “Măgura” sculpture camp, Buzău

Authors’ Comment

"The mirage of Măgura camp was the total freedom of creation, and the motto of the camp during a period of great artistic constraint was the Free theme."-Rodica Panaitescu Near the Ciolanu monastery in Buzău county there is an outdoor stone sculpture exhibition. It covers an area of 21 ha and is the largest exhibition of it’s kind in the country and one of the largest in the world.The exhibition is an open air museum, it is not restricted, thus becoming a place of freedom of expression and contemplation of nature. Initiated by a group of intellectuals in 1976,to mark the passing of 1600 years from the documentary attestation of the area of Buzău, Măgura Sculpture Camp, as it is known, is spread throughout five foothills in the vicinity of Ciolanu Monastery.The camp had 16 editions, from 1970 to 1985, with 16 sculptors participating in each edition, thus giving birth to 256 works. The concept was: full freedom of choice of the theme for each participant. One of the essential characteristics of the place is the location on a particular relief predominated by slopes and soft bumps, which manage to create different unique perspectives that end with the statues of the Camp.This project aims to be subordinated to the natural landscape, thus ensuring the functions necessary for visitors. It was created by the wish to make the “Camp” story known, because for years it has been neglected, the same as other important heritage objectives of Buzau County.I wanted to create a starting point, a place where visitors can find information about sculptures, local traditions and everything about this place, but also have the necessary utilities for a pleasant visit, such as relaxation areas, café, bookstore, souvenirs store, exhibition room, sanitary groups, etc.The concept started from the original blocks of stone received by sculptors by drawing lots, from which the sculpture was to be created.Thus I have placed three stone building parts, starting from the base of the hill and gradually climbing to the Camp, so visitors will have a starting point in this course, but also a final one. The upper body represents the exhibition hall, and the upper “cut” symbolizes the beginning “sculpture”, and time will be the most true artist.