Daniela Popa
area: Interdisciplinary Art
Key Facts
nationality
Republic of Moldovaarea
Interdisciplinary Artresidence
Aachenrecommending institution
BMWKMStime period
March 2026 - April 2026Daniela Popa (b. 1999, Chișinău) is an interdisciplinary artist and concept designer with a focus on social impact and sustainability. Raised in the Republic of Moldova and trained in architecture at FH Aachen, she combines spatial thinking with creative and conceptual practice.
Since 2021, she has been working as Lead Product & Concept Designer at the sustainable start-up Recycline. With a deep understanding of material, form, and function, she gives recycled plastic new meaning, transforming it into timeless design objects that connect sustainability with emotion. Her aim is to question the way we engage with plastic and contribute to a broader societal shift in perspective.
In her work as a designer, she has represented Recycline at local and international events and exhibitions addressing resources, consumption, and the circular economy. She operates at the intersection of art, architecture, and society, with the goal of creating cultural and social value through design.
Daniela Popa is a fellow of the "Fokus International" program, launched in 2023 in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS). Young cultural professionals from Moldova (2026 – 2028) and South Africa (2025 – 2027) are invited to Austria to complete two-month internships at selected Viennese art institutions, gaining work experience while simultaneously enriching the host institutions through their contributions.
During her residency at MQ, Daniela Popa will work in the Art and Sustainability department of MuseumsQuartier Vienna, actively participating in the conception, organization, and implementation of contemporary art and cultural projects. She will particularly support exhibition and event formats and contribute to the design and coordination of publications and print media.
Drawing on her experience in design and architecture, she brings conceptual clarity, creative sensitivity, and a structured approach to development processes. Her ability to analyze complex content and translate it into coherent visual and conceptual frameworks strengthens communication between art, audiences, and institutional workflows. Additionally, she supports research processes, organizational tasks, and team coordination, making an active contribution to the sustainable cultural work of MQ.