The exhibition marks the fifth release of the BAZA Award for contemporary art. It was established in 2008 on the initiative of the Institute of Contemporary Art – Sofia and exists as a part of an international awards network for young artists based in New York City. Following the tradition, the exhibition of the nominees is realised with the cooperation of the SofiaCity Art Gallery and in one of its halls. The Award is unique for Bulgaria and comprises a six-week residency at the International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP), New York City, and a solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) gallery in Sofia. The first four BAZA award winners are: Rada Boukova (2008), Samuil Stoyanov (2009), Anton Terziev (2010) and Vikenti Komitski (2011). Their experience from the residence in New York City already proved the efficiency of such awarding format because of the widening of the professional and fellow contacts, the invitations for participation in exhibitions in different countries as well as the knowledge gathered through the observation of the New York City art scene.

The aim of the nominees exhibition is to present the best of the work of each chosen artist and to give an idea about his or hers individual art preferences. In the upcoming exposition new works of art are predominant which were especially planned and realized for this occasion.
The works of Zoran Georgiev focus on the topic for the way of artefacts through history and the working process perceived as a link between the making of art and the non-art activities. Leda Ekimova is interested in the human emotionality, expressing this through symbols of the body and organic materials. Kiril Kuzmanov explores the idea of the travelling, the moving and the image of the artist not as a tourist, but as a traveller. The youngest participant Pavel Lefterov joints the exhibition as an example for intense mastering of painting and direct look at the mass culture and consumer society. Maximilian Pramatarov is occupied with manipulation of documental images, adding sense changes through the technical means of photography. The works of Kosta Tonev show his long-time continuity in the assessment of words and terms based on postulates of the modern art history.

In 2012 members of the jury are: Maria Vassileva (curator, chief curator of the Sofia City Art Gallery), Iara Boubnova (curator, director of ICA-Sofia), Nedko Solakov (artist), Boris Missirkov (photographer), Olivier Boissiere (contemporary art collector).

LEDA EKIMOVA IS THE AWARD WINNER.

Zoran Georgiev was born in 1985 in Gevgelia, Republic of Macedonia. In 2012 graduates in painting at the National Academy of Art (NAA), under professor Andrei Daniel. Works on painting, video, installation and objects. Award winner for painting from the Competition for young artists, critics and curators of the “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” international foundation.

Leda Ekimova was born in 1980 in Svishtov. In 2004 graduates in Fashion at the NAA. Works as an artist,fashion designer and curator. Founder of the “Pistolet” gallery and the fashion label “Chaika”. In her art expressions she prefers the means of painting and installation.

Kiril Kuzmanov was born in 1981 in Sofia. In 2009 graduates in Sculpture at the NAA, under professor Emil Popov. In his work he experiments with interventions in the urban environment or exhibition spaces, using different means of expression. In 2009 he wins First price in the Turgusun Arts Festival, Kazakhstan.

Pavel Lefterov was born in 1994 in Sofia. Studies at the National school for fine arts “Ilia Petrov”. Participates in several joint exhibitions, among which SAATCHI ONLINE at the exposition ARTPARIS JUST ART, Grand Palais March, Paris, 2011. Award winner from the Sixth national competition for academic painting, Sofia, 2010.

Maximilian Pramatarov was born in 1979 in Sofia. In 2002 he graduates in Theology at the Sofia University, and in 2011 – at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. Works mainly in the area of photography, lately experimenting with the lenticular technique for 3D printing. In 2006 receives an award from the international magazine for photography and media artEIKON.

Kosta Tonev was born in 1980 in Plovdiv. In 2004 he graduates in painting at the NAA, under professor Andrei Daniel. In 2008 graduates painting at the Academy of fine arts in Vienna. Works on painting, video, photography and installations. Known to the public through numerous participations in exhibitions in Bulgaria and worldwide.