"Wooden thoughts" ? this is the name of the project regarding the preservation and promotion of Romanian traditional values. Our colleague, Alexandru Gecse, has acquired such values from two of the most important personalities from Brasov: Ioan Sorin Apan and Nicolae Purcarea. Although also a journalist, Alexandru Gecse is a complete artist: he plays the reed pipe, the whistle, the ocarina, the flute and the twin flute. The passion for traditional wooden artistry became concrete the moment when he carved his first work that he ennobled with traditional designs. Others followed afterwards: crosses, seal engravers, candles, forks and spindles, shelves for spoons, wooden dipper, plates, all carefully wood crafted with Romanian traditional motifs.
Genesis of a work of art
"Wood is the noblest material nature can provide. The genesis of a wooden object must start with the chosen wood piece. We must respect the tree which provided this piece of wood. It gave up its life to provide you, as an artist, this material. You cannot forget this. I have also made small-sized objects that I have been trying to add value to. For instance, I have added beauty to Martisor (trinket worn in honour of March 1rst), by a tea spoon, a wooden dipper or a little sculpture with traditional motifs, all carefully carved in wood. This is how I made a difference between a martisor ?to be offered? and one ?to be worn?!" declared Alexandru Gecse about this passion.
Technique of incision
The pieces of the artist are decorated by the technique of incision (stitches, cuts by knife or various chisels), are notched by using the knife and the chisel the same way the shepherds used to decorate in the past their casks, spoons, dippers, pieces to which they were sentimentally connected to because they used to have a symbolic value. A solar symbol is being written on each piece - wolf teeth, zigzags, rhombus, etc.
Identity keeping
Alexandru Gecse explained the reason for which he has chosen this path: "What you are is your own choice. Even though I was born in the city, I have chosen to be a peasant. I have chosen to redeem the correct definition of the word ?peasant?. We are in danger of losing our identity and to abandon our profound roots. That is why we need to act, guided by the lines drawn by our mentors, which do not allow side slips or kitsch-orientation."
