View of exhibition Chemical Bonds with book and beakers

FABER
CHEMICAL BONDS: ROMANIAN CHEMISTRY’S PAST AND FUTURE

“Chemical Bonds” transforms invisible processes into accessible installations and narratives, drawing on research into the transformation of Romania’s chemical industry led by Norbert Petrovici together with Mihai Iacob and Zoltán Mihály. Tracing its development from the integrated industrial ecosystem of the 1970s and '80s to the present day, the research reveals an industry that is vulnerable, yet holds significant potential for innovation.

To translate this data into tangible forms, the FABER team documented more than 20 factories and industrial sites across Romania. The resulting visual archive accompanies a series of commissioned works exploring themes such as bioplastics, galvanisation as a method of protection, and salt as a ritual. The exhibition thus becomes a space in which design renders complexity tangible, enabling a much-needed dialogue about the green transition and the future of production.

  • Chemical Bonds Exhibition at FABER. Photo by: Alex Todirică
  • Chemical Bonds Exhibition at FABER. Photo by: Alex Todirică

The exhibition “Chemical Bonds” is part of Design Signals, a programme now in its third edition and curated by Martina Muzi. Through this programme, FABER is establishing itself as a key platform for experimental design in Romania, fostering a meaningful exchange of ideas between local research and international perspectives.

Chemical Bonds Exhibition at FABER. Photo by: Alex Todirică
Project coordinated by FABER
Editorial team: Nadine Botha, Diana Caducenco, Daniel Friedman, Martina Muzi, Oana Simionescu, Alex Todirică
Contributors: Agota Abran, Patricia Cîrtog, Gaia D’Arrigo, Oana Gavriliuc, Mihai Iacob, Marian Ignat, Marian Ionașcu, Audrey Large, Martina Muzi, Zoltan Mihaly, Giacomo Nanni, Julian Peschel, Norbert Petrovici, Sebastian Petruc, Benedetta Pompili, Ro Pérez Gayo, Fabio Salvadori, Federico Santarini, Oana Simionescu, Fidel Thomet, Alex Todirică, Susanna Tomassini, Andreea Tron
Graphic Design: Irene Stracuzzi
Photography: Alex Todirică, Marius Vasile
Read the curatorial text here and check out FABER’s website here!
  • Chemical Bonds Exhibition at FABER. Photo by: Alex Todirică
  • Chemical Bonds Exhibition at FABER. Photo by: Alex Todirică
  • Chemical Bonds Exhibition at FABER. Photo by: Alex Todirică
  • Chemical Bonds Exhibition at FABER. Photo by: Alex Todirică
  • Chemical Bonds Exhibition at FABER. Photo by: Alex Todirică

Did you like this article? You can read our article about the textile industry exhibition at FABER here!

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