The Art Mirror Association from Cluj-Napoca will represent Romania for the second time to the London Design Biennale 2025, an event taking place from June 5 to 29 at Somerset House in the British capital.

'The fact that Romania, through the Art Mirror Association, has been selected again to participate in the London Design Biennale is a major achievement. The project exhibited in Romania's Pavilion represents a valuable opportunity to promote our country on the international stage, highlighting remarkable personalities, impactful initiatives and exceptional artists,' Culture Minister Natalia-Elena Intotero is quoted as saying in a press release the Ministry of Culture sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

Romanian artists were selected for the fifth edition of the prestigious event after, two years ago, the same organisation ensured Romania's participation for the first time.

The team that conceived the design and will represent Romania to the London Design Biennale 2025 includes: Cristina Cantemir, Cristina Pop, Ioana Raluca Zamfir, Tudor Scripor and Tudor Costin.

Art Mirror will present an innovative art installation designed to create a bridge between art, technology, sustainable design and the promotion of Romania through renowned personalities. The installation will consist of three main elements:

- A physical element: a special installation made from recycled CDs, arranged in a circular shape, with an additional structure evoking the wings of a bird suspended, symbolising flight and freedom of expression;

- An interactive artistic element: each CD will have a QR code, which, once scanned, will reveal illustrations of Romanian personalities who have changed the way the country is perceived internationally. Over 100 illustrators and artists will contribute to this initiative, and a call for participation will be launched soon by Art Mirror;

- A social element: the installation will integrate the Scripor alphabet, the world's first tactile colour code, to ensure accessibility for people with visual impairments. Visitors will be able to explore the works through touch and digital technology.

According to the release, the artists' team has already collected over 150 kg of CDs, 10,000 pieces of plastic from EKG electrodes, 200 kg of paper and 500 kg of corks for the project.

Romania's participation is supported by the Ministry of Culture through its patronage of the Art Mirror Association. After the event, the installation will be presented in several cities of Romania as part of a caravan scheduled for September.

The London Design Biennale is the most important international event dedicated to innovation, creativity and research in design. Organised every two years, it brings together representatives from over 40 countries.

The 2025 edition of the biennale, with the theme 'Surface Reflections,' explores the concept of reflecting reality through design, focusing on the relationship between surfaces, materials and human experience. The event also addresses the impact of climate change and will serve as a starting point for the World Design Congress 2025, also taking place in London.

The Art Mirror Cultural Artistic Association is a non-governmental organisation active since 2016, promoting sustainable solutions for educating the community on recycling, material reuse and ecology. The association organises exhibitions, workshops and community projects that combine art with social responsibility. In 2023, Art Mirror became the first Romanian organisation selected for the biennale, participating with the installation 'Vatra Verde,' based on traditional elements, recycled materials and green energy. The project attracted over 200,000 visitors at Somerset House. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)