"Home Is Not a Question" unfolds as a spatial and visual inquiry into belonging, shaped through the long-term negotiation between Italy and Romania that defines Erika Guadagnin’s practice. At its core, the project can also be understood as a personal navigation, an attempt by the artist to locate herself within and between these contexts, not by resolving the question of belonging, but by staying with its uncertainty. Working from archival traces, vernacular images, and fragments of community histories, Guadagnin approaches the image as an unstable ground. Across the exhibition, archival materials appear layered, interrupted, and partially obscured, often by curtain-like structures that both divide and connect. These gestures introduce a quiet but persistent spatial metaphor: two worlds held in proximity yet never fully reconciled. The curtain becomes a threshold, a surface of projection, and a point of separation, suggesting how identity is continuously negotiated across visible and invisible boundaries. Her photographic language extends beyond the image itself. Printed on metal, suspended on transparent foils, or embedded within sculptural installations, works shift in response to the viewer’s movement. Frames overlap, dissolve, or remain deliberately incomplete, allowing images to exist in a state of permeability. What emerges is not a fixed narrative, but a field of relations where meaning is contingent, constructed through duration, attention, and positioning. At the same time, the artist’s research into Italian communities in Romania reveals a condition of dispersed presence, a community that exists without a stable or unified representation. This gap between lived reality and its visibility becomes central to the work. Guadagnin does not attempt to resolve it. Instead, she composes through fragmentation, allowing discontinuities to remain active, holding together elements that resist alignment. Motherhood introduces an additional layer to this inquiry, sharpening the question of continuity and transmission. What is carried forward, and from where? How does one articulate “home” for another when it is not fully defined for oneself? These questions resonate throughout the exhibition, grounding its conceptual concerns in lived experience. Presented at CDRF in Romania, the exhibition unfolds as an open trajectory rather than a fixed path. There is no single point of view. Each step produces a shift, each position a different alignment of images and meanings. It is within this movement that the work finds its form, as an ongoing attempt to situate oneself across thresholds, between histories, and within a space that remains, by necessity, unresolved. — Marina Paulenka About the artist Born in Italy and based in Romania for nearly two decades, Erika Gaudagnin develops her practice between two cultural contexts, within a continuous process of negotiation and reconfiguration. Identity is approached as a fluid condition, shaped by movement, memory, and lived experience. Her research draws on archival materials and community-based narratives, with a specific focus on the fragmented presence of Italians in Romania. These materials are rearticulated into installations, collages, paintings, and artist books, where image and document function as unstable structures of meaning. The practice investigates the relationship between the visible and the invisible in images, as well as the ways in which meaning shifts through juxtaposition, generating an open field of interpretation. In this context, “home” is not understood as a fixed location, but as a continuously evolving process, shaped by migration and motherhood. About the curator Based in Berlin and originally from Croatia, Marina Paulenka brings over 18 years of experience in artistic direction, curating, education, leadership, management, and cultural development, alongside her own artistic practice. Her work spans contemporary visual, digital, and performing arts, with a specialization in photography and new media. Across these roles and mediums, she consistently pushes boundaries, provokes critical dialogue, and engages with urgent global concerns. In 2008, she founded Organ Vita Festival (Zagreb) and managed it until 2019 when she became the artistic director of the photography fair UNSEEN in Amsterdam. In 2022, Marina became the Founding Director of Fotografiska Berlin where she defined its artistic vision, institutional strategy and the public identity of the museum. Drawing on her post-Yugoslav and Balkan heritage, Paulenka’s curatorial approach is rooted in rich cultural histories and complex socio-political realities. She engages deeply with feminism, identity, gender, human rights, and social justice, as well as the politics of the body, digital representation, and the sociocultural impact of cyberspace. Her perspective is informed by non-Western epistemologies, and she actively centers voices from African, Asian, Latin American, Indigenous, and diasporic communities, foregrounding aesthetics and knowledge shaped by lived histories of resistance, displacement, and care. Working both locally and internationally, she builds bridges between diverse cultural contexts and imagined futures, and is interested in how knowledge is constructed at the intersection of art, science, spirituality, and technology.

CdRF invites Romanian artists working with photography and expanded image based practices to apply for a curated solo exhibition. This open call seeks to identify one outstanding emerging or mid career artist  whose work engages critically, imaginatively, and formally with the conditions of contemporary life in Romania today. Curated by  Marina Paulenka Organised by CdRF ( cdrf.ro ) Deadline for submissions: 15.03.2026 Exhibition period: 01.05.2026 – 28.05.2026 Deadline extended: submissions until 24.03.2026 and announcing the winner on 30.03.2026 Artistic direction of the open call Rather than prescribing a single topic, this call is guided by a shared artistic orientation. We are looking for a practice that reflects on the present with intellectual depth, visual sensitivity, and ethical responsibility. We understand photography not simply as a tool of documentation, but as a space where power, memory, identity, and reality are negotiated and transformed. We are particularly interested in artists who address urgent contemporary issues in Romania, engaging with social, political, technological, ecological, and cultural transformations that shape everyday existence today. We encourage proposals that grapple with lived realities, structural inequalities, and the complex entanglements between the individual and society, including questions of power, belonging, and visibility . We are looking for work that reflects on histories of transformation, the legacies of post socialism, and the rapidly shifting landscapes of both urban and rural life , as well as the ongoing impact of migration, labour, and economic precarity . For this edition of the open call, we have a special interest in practices that critically examine how contemporary Romanian society is experienced and negotiated, from the reshaping of public and private spaces to the ways in which digital culture, surveillance, environmental change, and identity politics influence personal and collective life. We are open to diverse perspectives, ranging from intimate and personal approaches to more investigative, conceptual, or poetic strategies. We welcome submissions that challenge conventional definitions of photography and may incorporate mixed media, installation, moving image, sound, archival material, or digital formats, valuing experimentation, formal rigor, and thoughtful engagement with the medium. The selected artist will be invited to develop their project in close dialogue with the curator through a series of conversations in March and April . This collaborative process will support the conceptual development of the exhibition, the selection of works, and the overall curatorial framing, positioning the exhibition as both an artistic presentation and a space for reflection on contemporary Romanian society. About the curator Based in Berlin and originally from Croatia, Marina Paulenka  brings over 18 years of experience in artistic direction, curating, education, leadership, management, and cultural development—alongside her own artistic practice. Her work spans contemporary visual, digital, and performing arts, with a specialization in photography and new media. Across these roles and mediums, she consistently pushes boundaries, provokes critical dialogue, and engages with urgent global concerns. Her practice is shaped by intellectual rigor, a commitment to innovation, and a focus on intersectionality, experimentation, and the transformative potential of art. In 2008 she founded the Organ Vita Festival (Zagreb) and managed it until 2019 when she became the artistic director of the UNSEEN photography fair in Amsterdam. In recent years, Marina was the Founding Director of Fotografiska Berlin and established the artistic vision, institutional strategy and public identity of the museum. Drawing on her post-Yugoslav and Balkan heritage, Paulenka’s curatorial approach is rooted in rich cultural histories and complex socio-political realities. She engages deeply with feminism, identity, gender, human rights, and social justice,as well as the politics of the body, digital representation, and the sociocultural impact of cyberspace.  Her perspective is informed by non-Western epistemologies , and she actively centers voices from African, Asian, Latin American, Indigenous, and diasporic communities—foregrounding aesthetics and knowledge shaped by lived histories of resistance,displacement, and care. Working both locally and internationally, she builds bridges between diverse cultural contexts and imagined futures, and is interested in how knowledge is constructed at the intersection of art, science, spirituality, and technology. Who can apply This open call is addressed to: Romanian artists/residents of Romania working with photography or image based practices; Emerging or mid career practitioners; Artists whose work shows conceptual maturity and originality. What we offer A fully curated solo exhibition at CdRF; Curatorial mentorship and dialogue throughout the development process; Complete production and installation support, within the institution’s possibilities; Visibility through CdRF’s communication channels and network. How to apply Please submit the following in a single PDF file (in English): A short artist statement, maximum 500 words; A project proposal outlining the finalised body of work you wish to present, maximum 800 words; Visual documentation of your work, including 10 to 15 images or links to video if relevant; A brief CV including education, exhibitions and relevant projects. Submissions should be uploaded here. Submission deadline: 15.03.2026, 23:59 (EET) Selection process Applications will be reviewed by the curator and the CdRF team. Shortlisted artists may be invited for an online conversation before the final selection is made. The final selection will happen on March 20. We look forward to discovering bold, thoughtful, and visually compelling work that engages with the complexities of contemporary Romanian society and expands the possibilities of photography as a critical artistic practice. For further information, please contact: hello@cdrf.ro

From April 4 until April 5 we're hosting the FotoMarket. The 10th edition! Not that it's a round number, but the thought excites us. We are consistent with the format that seems to deliver better and better experiences for everyone - participants and visitors. Therefore, we invite artists, individually or collectively, to sell their photos in any format. The important thing is that photography is the main intention. We want to see what you will bring: what images, in what formats, on what support, and at what prices. You can register until March 16 by email at hello@cdrf.ro . Images must be attached or with a download link. Insta links, portfolios or presentation sites do not help us. If we don't already know each other, please send us a presentation of yourself. Very important: we do not take commission from sales or participation fees. No entrance fee for visitors either. From previous editions:

Now Past exhibitions

About the project The "Photography Resource Center" project started from the desire to support the development and professionalization of the photographic community in Romania, at the moment there is a lack of community management and representation structures. Perhaps the biggest challenge of a freelance photographer is the fact that he has to be an artist, manager, salesman, PR and sometimes an accountant at the same time. In the case of amateur photographers, the challenge lies in the lack of finality of the artistic act and in the difficult process of entering the market. The public of events dedicated strictly to photography is a niche and relatively small one. Thus, the project proposes the creation of a photography resource center, which, in addition to a dedicated space, will offer educational programs, professional development programs, artistic events and products, and support services for professional photographers; the beneficiaries of the project will be the center's team, 2 visual artists, 158 professional and amateur photographers, 1215 event participants, 3 talented young people and 3 photographers from Norway. The role of the photography resource center is to connect photographers with each other, and photographers with other professionals in other fields. It also wants to be a nursery where amateur photographers can develop, to be able to take the step towards professionalization. Last but not least, the general objective is to become the most important photo resource center in Romania by developing a management structure for the community of photographers in Bucharest and in the country. The specific objectives aim at: The development of a photo resource center in Bucharest which, by the end of the project, will offer a comprehensive range of resources and services for Romanian photographers, thus contributing to the professionalization and artistic development of the community and Increasing the access of at least 158 photographers to professional development programs and at least 1215 people to artistic events by the end of the project, helping to increase access and diversify cultural products. The project activities include the development of the center in the first year of implementation (mentoring for the team, organizing the space and the program) and the organization in the second year of a series of programs and events including workshops, courses, masterclasses, exhibitions, etc. The center will provide the following resources: --Physical resources – library equipped with books and photo albums, computers with specific software for photo processing, workspaces and at least one fully equipped photo studio; --Resources to facilitate skills development – authorized courses, photography workshops, masterclasses and portfolio assessments, discussions and information transfer opportunities for professional and amateur photographers; --Resources for promoting photographers – exhibitions, author photography sales events and creative residencies. The partner from Norway - Morten Bruun - will be actively involved in the construction of the center and the services offered, providing lecturers and mentors from Norway, communicating the project in Norway and supporting the development of the center. The results of the project are 3 jobs, 1215 participants in cultural activities, 1 SME supported, 7 professionals with skills/expertise developed at the workplace, 22 contemporary art activities supported and the strengthening of bilateral collaboration. The Photography Resource Center project is financed by the EEA Grants 2014 - 2021 within the RO-CULTURE Program. ..... The EEA Grants represent the contribution of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway towards a green, competitive and inclusive Europe. There are two overall objectives: reduction of economic and social disparities in Europe, and to strengthen bilateral relations between the donor countries and 15 EU countries in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltics. The three donor countries cooperate closely with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). The donors have provided €3.3 billion through consecutive grant schemes between 1994 and 2014. For the period 2014-2021, the EEA Grants amount to €1.55 billion. More details are available on: www.eeagrants.org and www.eeagrants.ro . RO-CULTURE is implemented in Romania by the Ministry of Culture through the Project Management Unit. The Programme aims at strengthening social and economic development through cultural cooperation, cultural entrepreneurship and cultural heritage management. The total budget amounts to almost 34 million EUR. For more details access: www.ro-cultura.ro

co-founder and educational management Andreea Leu Formed as a psychologist with studies in pedagogy, with 15 years of experience in consulting in non-reimbursable funds and interested in the connection between image and memory, Andreea created CdRF to support the development of the professional and artistic journey of photographers in Romania. Read More CdRF gallery director and artistic coordinator Sorin Florea Curator, visual artist and has experience in cultural management. He describes himself as "a creator of stories that need to be told" and his artistic projects lean towards cultural and anthropological exploration. He has exhibited at MARe, MNȚRplusC and SR Gallery (Brussels). Read More communication and graphic design Diana Băcioiu Passionate about Tyler the Creator, graphic design, and art, Diana creates the CdRF visual identity, supports the organization of CdRF events, and manages the CdRF library. Read More archives coordinator Alex Molovata After a long career in photojournalism and photo editing, for the past years he has specialized in organizing photography archives and using DAM technologies. Alex manages and archives all visual content created by CdRF and implements digital asset management solutions. Read More photographic tehnique and projects lecturer Andrei Păcuraru Has been a photographer since he was 16 and a photography lecturer since he was 20. In his career, Andrei has successfully juggled multiple types of commercial photography and for some time now, he has chosen to focus on artistic photography. He is very interested in exploring photographic technique as a means of artistic expression. Read More history of photography lecturer Cristina Irian Is a research-based artist, researcher and curator, active in the field of collections, photographic archives and multimedia projects, with a PhD in visual arts. Her artistic practice focuses on objects of memory and integrates photographic materials into contemporary artworks, with which she has participated in over 50 exhibitions. Read More studio photography lecturer A photographer with over 20 years of experience in advertising, fashion, and product photography. His career began in high school, and his passion turned into a refined aesthetic that combines naturalness with the poetry of light. In recent years, Ionuț has focused on food, corporate, and still life photography. Read More personal style lecturer Natan Dvir A teacher, artist, and editorial photographer, Natan is currently the educational director of the Houston Center for Photography (HCP) and was formerly the associate director of the International Center for Photography (ICP). His personal work focuses on the human aspects of cultural, social, and political issues. Read More street photography and portfolio lecturer Toma Hurduc He studied image at UNATC. Toma often works with analog techniques and various forms of print and presentation. Through his photography, he questions the human perception of reality, fear, anxiety, ephemerality and the construction of memory. He has had solo and group exhibitions both in the country and abroad. Read More co-founder and financial management Ion Borșan Ion has extensive experience in management and PR, is passionate about history, gastronomy and culture. In photography, he started by organizing workshops showing the histories of Bucharest and ended up creating and developing the Photography Resource Center. Read More communication and the CdRF space coordinator Alexandru Borșan Has been working in communication strategies, brand development and PR for over 20 years. Passionate about skiing and art, Alex is the one who organizes CdRF events, implements the CdRF communication plan and can talk to you for hours about the new coffees at the CdRF café. Read More educational and artistic assistent Daria Radu Freshly returned from her studies in photography abroad and with an interest in both curatorship and also cultural journalism, Daria is the newest member of the team, being involved in everything CdRF. Read More IT and administration Ștefan Trăsnea Passionate about photography, Ștefan is the one who keeps our archives, website, and space in perfect working order. Read More visual storytelling lecturer Cornel Lazia Has a doctorate in cinematography and media, is a lecturer at UNATC, a nationally and internationally exhibited artist and a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the commercial field – fashion, advertising, music album covers, corporate, etc. Read More documentary photography lecturer Ioana Moldovan Freelance photojournalist, documentary photographer, writer and published author. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, Bloomberg, among others. Ioana's photographs have won awards, illustrated books, and been featured in numerous national and international exhibitions. Read More analogue photography and developing lecturer He created °isopatrusute, the film photography lab. With a background in cinematography, Matei is concerned with creating a bridge between the creative and the practical; through his laboratory and knowledge he offers photographers the technical means and support to bring their projects to reality. Read More theory and storytelling lecturer Panos Kasimis Is a visual artist and teacher with 4 decades of experience. He works on personal projects that he transforms into books and exhibitions, but also for magazines, institutions and independent publications. His work explores social behavior and the physicality of human contact with the urban/natural environment. Read More street photography lecturer Greg Mo Specializes in street photography and conceptual practices. Based in Cambodia, his work explores everyday life, social spaces, and urban narratives in a surreal manner. His series “Tonle Soap” was exhibited at Les Rencontres d’Arles (2023) and the Angkor Photo Festival (2025). Read More CdRF team Educational team CdRF's mission is the internationalization of Romanian photography; long-tem, we want Romanian photographers and their photographs to have a greater presence, higher value and better visibility in international markets. We strongly believe that this can be achieved through education, direct support for photographers, collaboration and audience development. We are here to develop the necessary framework for photography and you, our students, clients, participants and friends, to fill this framework with your vision. After reading about us, we invite you to meet us at Popa Tatu 68. CdRF gallery's artists PAC Ruuca Mărgescu Barista/ Events Angelica Maria Raluca Dobre Partners and collaborators Rezo Agency/ Wiktoria Michałkiewicz Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center Landskrona Foto Growing Pains Nitja Centre for Contemporary Art °isopatrusute Kodex Studio 82 Reptilianul