At the Beginning, There Was the Line — Geta Brătescu at Retros Design Space
Continuing its mission to connect art and design, Retros Showroom hosted this exhibition under its cultural initiative, Retros Design Space, in collaboration with Artwill. The result: an evocative dialogue honoring one of Romania’s most significant voices in contemporary art, Geta Brătescu.
In early October 2025, Retros Design Space and Artwill joined forces in a new cultural venture, hosting the exhibition “Geta Brătescu – La început a fost desenul” (At the Beginning, There Was the Line), curated by Sandra Demetrescu. The event marked an inspiring dialogue between art and design, paying tribute to one of Romania’s most important contemporary artists.
Geta Brătescu (1926–2018) remains a defining presence in 20th-century art. Over a career spanning more than seven decades, her work explored the intersections between drawing, collage, textile, photography, performance, and literature. Through these mediums, Brătescu cultivated a deep, ongoing conversation between line, gesture, and the written word — a dialogue that continues to resonate within modern artistic discourse.
Set within the refined, minimalist environment of Retros Design Space, the exhibition invited visitors to experience a carefully curated selection of works tracing pivotal moments from Brătescu’s creative evolution — from the 1960s to her late period. Under the thoughtful curatorship of Sandra Demetrescu, the presentation emphasized the intimate, almost meditative quality of Brătescu’s practice: how each mark, cut, or fold embodies both discipline and freedom.
Beyond its artistic significance, this collaboration marked a new chapter for Retros Design Space, reinforcing its mission to act as a meeting point between art, design, and cultural reflection. Together with Artwill, the space demonstrated how contemporary art and collectible design can coexist — not as separate disciplines, but as complementary expressions of form and thought.
The opening evening brought together collectors, designers, artists, and admirers of Brătescu’s work in a quiet yet profound celebration of Romanian creativity and heritage. The event was also attended by notable figures from the Romanian art, fashion, and media scenes, including celebrities, cultural influencers, and design professionals — further reflecting the growing dialogue between contemporary art and lifestyle culture in Bucharest.
“La început a fost desenul” was on view at Retros Design Space, Str. Duetului 54, from October 5–26, 2025.
About the Collaboration
This exhibition marked the beginning of an ongoing partnership between Artwill and Retros Design Space, dedicated to fostering new dialogues between art, design, and cultural history — transforming Retros into not only a design destination but also a platform for creative exchange.
