AMIRA art biography
AMIRA art biography
My life is a continuous performance of contemporary art that takes place ritually within a perpetual multimedia installation. There is no boundary line between my life and my art.
(Amira)
cof
cof
amira of transylvania studio
The Past might not even matter.
However, it is the main Source of who we are now.
ART is there to remind you who you are. ART has a psychoanalytic function.
Those who live without ART don’t actually live, they pretend to do so!
(Amira)
BIOGRAPHY and ARCHIVE OF THE ARTIST:
AMIRA art biography
AMIRA (Amira Munteanu Bergmann) was born in Transylvania on 25 September 1972 into a family of wealthy intellectuals and art collectors with mixed blood, on the one hand Austro-Hungarian origins, on the other Russian and Southern European Balkans.
He began drawing from the age of 4. He spent his early childhood in his grandparents’ villa in Transylvania.
Thanks to a favorable family situation: grandfather notary, grandmother antiques dealer, mother an accountant and father military engineer and high-ranking officer, she lives a happy and carefree childhood but under a certain discipline which will prove over time to be an advantage in the world of to grasp the unexpected events, tasks and difficulties of life.
The city
Furthermore, due to the father’s work, the family moved to a residence on the Black Sea, in Constanza, former Pontus Euxidius, Ovid’s city of exile. The city is eclectic, a place of crossroads of all Eastern and Western cultures with mosques, churches and synagogues mixed with Art Nouveau villas and art deco buildings built on ancient Roman ruins, it is the city with the most famous Casino in Europe in the interwar period and the sea is everywhere. This context gave the first “imprinting” in his artistic training. He spent his second childhood and adolescence in Constanza.
She also studied classical dance, painting and acting as a child. She wasn’t inclined towards sports, however she learned the truck by attending military training ranges with her father.
He spends his holidays reading in the large library of his paternal grandparents’ villa in Transylvania.
Passions
Initially interested in medicine, she studied medical high school for 4 years with a passion for pathological anatomy and the disciplines of neurosciences (psychiatry and neurosurgery).
In 1990 he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, which he however abandoned as an idea of making it a profession, continuing to cultivate it today as a passion.
He began his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, Faculty of Theatrical Scenography and attended the Stanislavsky-Strasberg acting courses.
This was followed by a short scholarship at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, then the University for Foreigners in Perugia and finally the Academy of Fine Arts in L’Aquila where he studied Painting and Sculpture.
Lover of social life, he frequented Roman salons for many years and traveled the world visiting museums, art and design fairs, public and private art collections, studios of various artists and private collectors.
In 2007 he decided to move to Milan where he still lives and works today.
Always passionate about animals, they are always found both in her home and in her art, but also in her artistic and entrepreneurial goals and above all she respects them in her life choices.
Work
The first work commitments are during the study periods. He took on various positions at: media and advertising agencies, in various theaters and newspaper editorial offices. He later works with collaborative commitment in various creative offices at national and multinational companies, marketing and communications companies, in the fields of fashion and design, entertainment, cinema and television, collaborates with various art galleries, writes texts for theatre, and in parallel he attends as an assistant the studies of some Masters (artists and mystics including the Grand Master of Italian Freemasonry Ivan Mosca ), developing a vast spectrum of knowledge and practices both in the artistic and esoteric, but also entrepreneurial, fields.
In this way he alternates his interests, balancing his entrepreneurial path with his passion for various artistic, mystical, spiritual and esoteric disciplines.
Kabbalah
For several years he has been studying Kabbalah in a guided and structured way, to the point of specializing in practicing acts of ritual and evocative Kabbalistic magic (Solomonic rite) and performing ”subtle readings” through the perception of certain energies that each individual possesses but he doesn’t always know.
Following various practices in a disciplined way (regressive hypnosis techniques, a certain type of diet, yoga, meditations and rituals, etc.) over the years he develops a para-sensorial sensitivity which he applies above all on an artistic level in his works.
The whole series of knowledge, rites and methods are nothing but one vital source of inspiration for his material and conceptual artworks and for the texts of his books and performances.
(Milan 2010, text by Alan Jones, writer and art historian, American art critic, curator of the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York, friend and curator of Amira’s artistic work from 2007 onwards)
”Let’s have a glass of blood… ” (preview of the exhibition)
”the Vampire never dies…” (preview of the exhibition)
ESOTERIC PATH:
Initiation to the Solomonic Rite (Grand Master Ivan Mosca , Alleanza “Aleph – il Silenzio” Rome 1999.
Initiation to the Egyptian Rite of the Order of High Witchcraft, Covo “Alba Nera” 2004.
Initiation into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Kevutz ”Eternum”, 2011.
Initiation into the Ancient Scottish Rite of Italian Freemasonry, “Hiram” Lodge, since 2014.
Frequenter and scholar of other esoteric structures and schools (more or less secret).
art performance
AMIRA art biography
Main art exhibitions:
1994
1994- The first art exhibition – Parliament Building Bucharest, curated by R.Matei.
Amira, at the age of just 22 was the first artist from Romania to exhibit at the Parliament Building in Bucharest (former home of the dictator Ceausescu) after the fall of the communist regime during the Crans-Montana Forum. On that occasion the artist sold the entire exhibition of 40 works presented, opening up to the panorama of contemporary art and to selective and elite international collecting.
1995
1995-Art Exhibition at Business Club Elite Bucharest, permanent exhibition in the first Business Center in Bucharest. In just one year the artist entered over 50 private art collections around the world.
Business Club Elite Bucharest – 1995
1996
1996-Art Exhibition at the JLCalderon Gallery, Bucharest, curated by C.Antim
JLCalderon Gallery Bucharest 1996
1997
1997-Art Exhibition at ”Salt and Peper Living”, Bucharest
1997-Art Exhibition at ”Mon Jardin Club”, Baneasa-Bucharest
1998
1998- After attending the University for Foreigners of Perugia he moved permanently to Italy. Preparation for the first solo exhibition in Italy begins.
The preparation of the first sculptures begins.
sculpture-amira-of-transylvania.
2000
2000- Art Exhibition at the Banca San Paolo Imi Foundation in the Rome Headquarters,
“Small bites of life” exhibition curated by M.Pola, is the first exhibition in Italy, thus entering the Public Collection of the Banca San Paolo Foundation.
”Small Bites of Life” exhibition
2001
2001 – Exhibition at the ”La Telaccia” Gallery, Turin,
2001 – “La Telaccia d’oro” award, “Pittura intimistica” exhibition, curated by M.Mali.
2001 – Exhibition at the ”Colors from the World of Art” Gallery, Palazzo Margutta Rome, curated by the Margutta Arte Association.
2001 – Exhibition ”City Art, 100 painters from via Margutta”, collective exhibition, Piazza Salotto, Pescara curated by the Margutta Arte Roma Association.
”100 painters of via Margutta” exhibition
2001 – Selected and invited to exhibit at the International Painting and Sculpture Salon, Monte Carlo,
“Beyond the beautiful and the ugly” exhibition, displays the latest works of painting and sculpture.
Monte-Carlo art exhibition
On that occasion the artist was selected by the gallerist and art dealer Jordi Cassal, owner of the Galerie Pictural in Monte-Carlo, who included his works in several important private collections. Among the gallery’s collectors are many VIPs and international actors and also Dolce & Gabbanna.
Pictural art gallery, Monte-Carlo
2002
2002 – Pictural Gallery, Monte Carlo, “Optical” exhibition, neo-figurative painting, curated by Jordi Casals (gallery owner and art dealer).
2002 – Galleria Nuovo Millennio, Palermo, exhibition curated by C.Cordaro and inclusion in the Official Catalog of Italian Artists 2002.
Art Yearbook – Contemporary Italian Artists – 2002
2003
2003-International Museum of Women in Art, curated by L.Alviani with inclusion in the official catalog and works permanently in the Museum.
2003 – ”Somnium FLUXUS” International Culture Festival, Pietrabbondante Isernia, exhibition curated by L. Alviani.
Amira is invited both as a painter and sculptor and as an actress. On this occasion, Euripides’ Medea is performed.
2003 – Taylor Foundation, Paris, permanent collaboration from 2003-2005 and opening to the French art market with the artist’s inclusion in various international private collections managed by the Foundation.
Taylor Foundation, Paris
2004
2004 – International Art Biennial of Rome, Sale del Bramante, Piazza del Popolo Rome, curated by M.Chiovaro,
Installation and performance work “My Self”, CIAC production, Rome
International Art Biennial of Rome, the Bramante Rooms.
2004 – International Center for Contemporary Artists, Rome, curated by M.Chiovaro, exhibition and inclusion of the artist in various private art collections internationally.
2005
2005 – Fez Living, Pescara, exhibition and performance curated by C.Albanese
Exhibition Fez, Fez Living Gallery
2005 – Permanent Exhibition 2005-2007, Le Cruelle art workshop, Pescara
2006
2006 – International Art Biennial of Rome, curated by M.Chiovaro
AMIRA – works for the Rome International Art Biennale – 2006
2007
The artist moved to Milan where he still lives and works today.
2007 – Le Trottoir, Milan, exhibition “I, Myself and No One Else”, presentation by Andrea G.Pinketts, texts by Pierangelo Dacrema. The artist presents for the first time a self-deprecating exhibition of collages and works on paper.
Collage Exhibition – Le Trotoir, Milan
2007 – “Citta dell’Aria”, Colorno, Parma, edited by G.Chiovaro. Preliminary exhibition for the 2008 edition of the Rome Biennale.
Exhibition ”City of the Air” Parma
2007 – Galleria Jean Blanchaert in Milan hosts the two-person exhibition “The Beast and the Beast, requiem for Jack the Ripper”, performance with Andrea G.Pinketts, curated by Philippe Daverio.
AMIRA art biography
Jean Blanchaert Art Gallery, Milan.
2007 – Collective exhibition and Rizzoli catalog “13×17” curated by Philippe Daverio for the 2007 Venice Biennale
2008
2008 – Anthological personal exhibition at the Unicità Art Gallery, Monza.
2008 – Unicità Art Gallery, Monza, exhibition “Melangè a trois”, curated by M.Savino
2008 – Award for International Artist of the Year, from the Lombardy Region, Castello Mediceo, SGMilanese.
2008 – Santa Barbara Barracks Milan, personal exhibition and Gold Medal for Military Valor.
2008 – Galleria Sopravento, Porto Cervo, summer collective exhibition.
2008 – Spagnoli Gallery, Florence, Summer Auctions.
2008 – General Consulate of Romania, Milan, mini-collective exhibition curated by Alan Jones.
Diplomatic Exhibition under the patronage of the Romanian Embassy and the Romanian Consulate in Milan
(in the photo from left to right: Alan Jones, writer and art historian, curator of the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York, Stefano Civatti-art dealer and assistant of the Noisei Gallery in New York, artist Amira, Dumitru Dinu General Consule of Romania in Milan).
2008 – Wannabee Gallery, Milan-Spazio Revel, art exhibition and performance for the exhibition “Male di honey” curated by S.Pettinicchio
2009
2009 – Wannabee Gallery, Milan,
Personal exhibition and artist book “Breviary of Contemporary Vampirage”, presentation with performance by Alan Jones.
2009 – Exhibition ”I love Pop” collective exhibition, Municipality of Meda.
pop art SHOW
2010
2010 – “Primavera Award”, ”Il Trittico” Gallery, Campo dei Fiori, Rome
2010 – International Art Biennial of Rome, curated by the International Center for Contemporary Artists.
2010 – Collaboration with the MC2 Art Gallery in Milan begins.
”Amphibious Nature” exhibition, installation work “Axis Mundi”, MC2 Gallery, Milan. Press conference organized by Alan Jones and the publication of the book ”Respectus Symbolum” in collaboration with the Chair of Philosophy of the Milan State University.
2010 – Conference of the Amphibious Nature Exhibition.
Presentation of the installation work AXIS MUNDI.
Esoteric Conference AMPHIBIA NATURE, MC2 Art Gallery Milan
Speakers: (from left to right): Michele Proclamato (essayist), Gianfranco Carpeoro (Hera magazine owner), Alan Jones (critic and art historian), Amira (artist), Massimo Rizzardini (professor of History of Esotericism, University Statale Milano), Claudio Composti (art gallery owner)
2010 – “Venerdi 17” exhibition, Spazio San Sovino, Turin curated by Edoardo Di Mauro
2010 – Exhibition “Another History”, 20 years of History, Italian Art from the 80s to the year zero” catalog raisonné, Como, edited by Edoardo Di Mauro.
In the same year 2010 Amira opened a video production company, began preparations for the production of an animated film and gave life to the brand which in 2011 she would register as ”4SuckerS”.
He creates a series of paintings from which the drawings for the animations of a film are then obtained. Creates the first world series in the animation-soap format and the first Italian branding-entertainment project.
4SuckerS film animations
2010 – Production begins on the film of the same name 4SuckerS which was presented in 2015 at the Cannes Film Festival, MipTV section
Cannes Film Festival, Mip-TV section, 4SuckerS casting
Cannes Film Festival, Mip-TV section, 4SuckerS casting & poster
2011
2011 – Exhibition Natura Anfibia, with the photographic and video work, ”Alchemical Identity”, MC2 Gallery Milan,
2011 – ALCHEMICAL IDENTITY, MC2 Gallery Milan
2011- Collective exhibition TRIBUTE TO PEGGY” curated by Paolo Barozzi, former assistant of Peggy Guggenheim, Venice, Palazzo delle Zattere.
Studio Barozzi exhibition in Venice
2012
2012- Exhibition Natura Anfibia, with the photographic work and short film, “Cibo dell’anima”, Galleria MC2 Milan.
From 2012 onwards:
The preparation of a new multimedia artistic project entitled MANUAL FOR THE USE OF REALITY begins .
The project will be managed without the help of the art mercantile system and distributed directly via the web through the new personal e-commerce application site which, in addition to visibility, also allows the possibility of direct, guaranteed and immediate purchase of the works signed and certified by the artist all over the world. The project will be managed by a Web Manager.
The ”AMIRA DI TRANSILVANIA” brand is born and the creation of a true magic laboratory intended for the production of multiple small works.
Serial products including multiple signed works of the Artist will be sold on various E-Commerce platforms.
It offers collectors from all over the world the option of CUSTOM works.
Thanks to the increase in SOCIAL NETWORKS, the artist enters new private collections around the world with multiple works.
He began collaborating on interior design projects by offering multiple serial works signed and certified for various commissioned architecture firms.
AMIRA’s art in a private collection in Miami USA (multiple works)
INTERIOR DESIGN & ENVIRONMENT ART
2015
The film 4SuckerS is concluded and presented at the Cannes Film Festival, MipTV section, the Production and Casting is invited on the red carpet and various openings.
The 4SuckerS project continues for several years.
2017
Amira is invited for an exhibition and interview on the national television program “Arte Investimento”.
Interviewed by Tony Parviziar.
FROM 2018 to Today
The artist continues his activity by taking over the management of his archive, all contacts with his market and his collecting. From that moment on, no merchant can issue any authentication and can intermediate any sale without confirmation from the Archive.
The lockdown from 2019 to 2021 proves to be a very fertile period for the artist who takes advantage of the restrictions to continue a new series of works started in 2018.
In 2022 he concludes the preparation of the project dedicated to a new series of paintings dedicated to (Freudian) Psychoanalysis, with an exhibition scheduled between 2023-2024.
The renovation of a new space dedicated to his new Art Studio and future artistic and multimedia projects begins.
His laboratory moves to a new studio in 2023, after 4 months of renovations.
AMIRA, in addition to being an artist, is also a stylist and designer, actress and film producer, model, blogger and television personality.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Amira of Transylvania – Canale 5 – episode 1
Amira of Transylvania – Canale 5 – episode 2
AMIRA art biography.
CURIOSITY and PRIVATE LIFE
AMIRA has built her own brand supported by her ”Virtual Alter-Ego” being one of the first artists to create her own Personal Art Brand: AMIRA DI TRANSILVANIA.
He created and produced the first Italian branding-entertainment project called 4SuckerS- Virtual Vampire.
Amira is the creator of the first world television series in the Animation – Soap format: 4SuckerS.
He invented the first ecological fur made of tulle knots, a project called ”Knotfur” which was subsequently ”stolen” initially by Maison Valentino and subsequently by other fashion brands.
He currently owns an Afghan hound and a miniature pig.
Collects rare books on magic and occultism. It has a library of thousands of titles.
Collect Tarot decks.
He KNOWS WHO HE WAS in a ”previous incarnation” and has figured out a way to figure it out.
Create design objects with recycled materials.
He collects sunglasses and not only that, he recognizes that he is a fashion victim.
Amira is a fashion collector, she owns one of the most important structured wardrobes in Italy.
magic library
magic library
