Reinterpretation of Motifs from the Ie in Contemporary Wood Sculpture in the Republic of Moldova

The ornamental motifs of the Romanian traditional blouse (ia) constitute an important system of cultural signs, carrying identity, symbolic, and aesthetic values. In the context of contemporary art in the Republic of Moldova, these traditional motifs transcend their original decorative function and become sources of inspiration for new forms of artistic expression. This study examines the ways in which the ornamental motifs specific to the ia are reinterpreted in contemporary wood sculpture, highlighting the process of transferring textile symbols into the three-dimensional language of sculpture.
The research is based on a comparative analysis of traditional ornaments found on the ia such as the rhombus, the cross, the Tree of Life, the spiral, solar motifs, and phytomorphic elements and the manner in which they are employed in the works of contemporary Moldovan sculptors. The study investigates the formal and semantic transformations of these motifs, their adaptation to the specific properties of wood as a material, and their integration into decorative, monumental, or conceptual sculptural compositions.
The findings demonstrate that the reinterpretation of motifs from the ia contributes to the revitalization of traditional cultural heritage through contemporary artistic practices. Wood, a material deeply connected to folk culture and traditional craftsmanship, facilitates a dialogue between past and present, linking the intangible heritage embodied in the ornamentation of the ia with the tangible heritage of sculpture. As a result, traditional motifs are recontextualized and acquire new expressive meanings, becoming active elements of contemporary artistic discourse. This phenomenon highlights the continuity of cultural values and the capacity of art to preserve and renew identity symbols within the framework of modern society. The tendency to revalorize traditional motifs in contemporary arts in the Republic of Moldova confirms the importance of the relationship between tradition and innovation in shaping contemporary cultural identity.