Exhibition of Dimitar Traychev
23 March -- 10 April 2022
ACADEMIA Gallery, 1 Shipka Str., Sofia
Vernissage: 23 March (Wednesday), 4:00 - 7:00pm
Tour with the artist: 24 March (Thursday), 11:00 - 12:00am
There are artists known only for the power and impact of their artworks, while others focus attention on themselves with personal enchanting charisma. Dimitar Traychev combines both types. His individual vitality overflows into his ful-blooded creative work and vice versa.
His early emancipation and the opportunity to go abroad (even eastward), the dizzying provocation of the world's giants in poster art, jazz and art in general are at the core of Traychev's unique DNA. Of course, the hard work in the specific conditions of the craft also contributes to it. With the realised hundreds (of a type) of theatrical and festival posters, logos, designed books, illustrations and other "commodities" Traychev towers like a lighthouse in Varna -- illuminating the right direction and meaning of the profession. At first glance, his work floods and incinerates like a volcano, erupting actively from the late 1970s to the present day.
Mitko belongs to that generation of artists who interconnect the generations "before" and "after". Particularly characteristic of him is his other personal talent being developed for decades -- to generate vivid visual and verbal forums for sharing experiences and for communication. In this role he clearly reveals his magnanimity and generosity to his younger colleagues, who recognise him as their inspirer, role model and, above all, dear friend.
Due to his authoritative intolerance to "the hideous" and the barren, and because of his avant-garde worldview and preserved youthful activeness over the years, Traychev continues to be a factor -- a captivating colleague, associate and table-companion with a glass of rosé in hand.
January 2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nenko Atanasov
curator of the exhibition
Traychev's bio
Born on 12 March 1952 in Shumen, Bulgaria • 1971 -- graduated from the High School of Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria • 1976 -- graduated with a degree in Spatial Design, Moscow Higher School of Art and Industry (former Stroganov) • 1991–2019 -- art director, Stalker graphic design studio • 1994 -- founder of A3 bulletin for business purposes • 2002–2016 -- founder and curator of projects "Non-Safeguarded Zone" and "Dining Room for Knowledge Exchange".
graphic concepts designer for international festivals: Varna Summer – music, jazz, theatrе, folklore; "Prof. G. Dimitrov” International May Choir Competition; European Music Festival; March Music Days; "Pancho Vladigerov" Competition; Piero Festival – puppet theatre for adults. Active participant in many initiatives related to visual and musical arts. Designer of the collection "A3 and the Others", graphic concepts, posters, book design, illustrations, logos, TV design, interiors and stage spaces.
Individual projects
2021 -- Monocle Wet Edition • 2020 -- A3 and the Others; Monocle • 2017 -- DIGITAL STRANDZHA, but not quite • 2016 -- Digital Peredvizhnik 2 • 2012 -- Digital Peredvizhnik; Titanic Band 100 • 2009 -- Breathe • 2008 -- Roamed • 2006 -- The New Saints • 2005–2014 -- My Jazz Icons • 2000–2002 -- Festival Poster from Varna • 1997 -- King Size • 1996 -- Used Faces • 1993 -- Snail • 1991 -- Katab • 1990 -- Goals and Means • 1987 -- Without Witnesses
Participation in group projects
2020 -- Art Behind a Mask • 2019 -- New Bulgarian Typography II; Biennial of Humor and Satire – Gabrovo • 2017 -- Persons, Heroes, Inspirators for Plakat Kombinat • 2015 -- I Love This Movie, Plakat Kombinat; Print.BG • 2014 -- Golden Bee – Moscow; Nisville Jazz Festival; One Design Week • 2013 -- Sofia Design Week; New Bulgarian Typography • 1996–2019 -- Stage Poster Triennial • 2011 -- Contempo Art Weekend • 2000–2014 -- August in Art Biennial • 2010 -- Contempo Lab • 2009 -- M-Tel Awards for Contemporary Bulgarian Art • 2008 -- Apollonia Festival; Jazz Icons, Sofia City Art Gallery • 2007 -- New Angelarius, Moscow • 2006 -- Important Message, Sofia City Art Gallery • 2004 -- Multiplication, Sofia City Art Gallery; Jazz Gallery – Budapest • 2003 -- 10 Years of Art in Bulgaria Magazine, Sofia City Art Gallery • 2001 -- Solitary Pursuits, The Elisabeth Foundation for the Arts - NYC
Curatorial projects
MEAT+; Dragons to the Max; The Stanchevs – Together for the First Time; The Rooster's Day; Reheated Soup; Blueprints; Hände Hoch; Jazzsketch; Eyewitnesses