Radu Varia

Biography

Born in Iaşi, Varia holds a degree from the University of Bucharest and a doctorate in History of Art and Civilization from the University of Paris. A friend of Salvador Dalí's, the two collaborated in preparing the 1974 opening of the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueras. Dalí also dedicated a 1972 poem to Varia, who awakened the painter's interest in Romanian language and culture. He has also helped set up every major exhibit of Horia Damian's work since the early 1970s. Among these have been shows at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, the Musée National d'Art Moderne (Centre Pompidou) and Grand Palais in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Documenta IX in Kassel, the Venice Biennale, the São Paulo Art Biennial or the Mogoşoaia Palace. The last, taking place in 2009, brought together for the first time Damian's work from 1930 to 1946. Additionally, he has made a thorough study of the works of Constantin Brâncuși, writing essays and books on the subject, in particular the 1986 Brâncuși that appeared first in the United States, later in France and Japan. Varia has lectured widely since the 1970s, including at an afternoon tutorial held by Marshall McLuhan at the University of Toronto; at Waseda University in Tokyo; at the Museum der Weltkulturen in Frankfurt; at the Romanian Academy in Bucharest and at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. He is married to soprano Mariana Nicolesco.

Honours

In 2012 he is elected Honorary Member of the Royal Scottish Academy,. In 2011 he was awarded, by the President of Romania, the Order of Cultural Merit and received the Silver Medal of the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. He is also a Knight of the Legion of Honour (2000) and, since 2005, a Commander of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity.

Works

On Constantin Brâncuși:

On Salvador Dalí:

On Horia Damian: