due to a complex of historical and cultural factors, the absolute and pure visual forms reached by malewicz and mondrian in the early 1910s have almost no influence on bulgarian modern art. hence, one may well argue that bulgarian modernism is deprived of its natural integrity without a consciously held non-objective period.
a prerequisite for the emergence of non-objective tendencies within the local art context can be found in the maturation of contemporary bulgarian civil society. on the other hand, this is an interactive process in which civil society is the principal beneficiary of the promotion of non-objective art forms. examples of such successful collaboration between society and non-objective aesthetics can be observed in countries like the netherlands, germany, france and switzerland, as well as in societies much closer to our political fate like poland, hungary, the czech republic and romania, where constructive and conceptual traditions date back to several decades ago.
conceived as an international forum, orthogonal brings together and presents a selection of artists and theoreticians who work in the field of non-objective and constructive art. apart from an exhibition of artŠµfacts the event offers a programme of open lectures and screenings which deal with contemporary and historical issues of this little known, in bulgaria, art movement. in 2014 we launched the forum's most important module - orthogonal for children - a 2-hour workshop for kids between 5 and 11. nonsofia's ambition is that orthogonal remains a regular art festival which will expand in the future and stay permanently on the bulgarian cultural agenda.
orthogonal's fourth edition took place between 21 september and 3 november 2018 at ikkp / kunsthaus rehau, germany. historically, this was the first group show of bulgarian geometric art abroad. the exhibition presented the work of 9 bulgarian artists of all generations since modern times till present day. it included oil painting, drawing, animation, collage and serigraphy. you are welcome to enquire further information at info@orthogonal.bg.