Readings of Vanitas

In the 17^th century, vanitas still lifes drew attention to the brevity and transience of human life, as well as the futility of worldly things. This theme has captivated artists throughout history, as they consciously acknowledge, experience, and process the profound question of mortality that affects every human being.

The three-room group exhibition, Readings of Vanitas, presents contemporary interpretations of this old art historical theme, spanning from the mid-sixties to the present. The selection includes paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, textiles, video works, and installations reflect on a 'reading' of the vanitas theme. The exhibition is organized around nine themes, each centered on an early visual subject, such as the danse macabre, vanitas still life, homo bulla (bubble-blower), the passage of time, the ages of life, mourning, or ruins. Additionally, a separate section aims to highlight the possibilities that exist beyond the concept of transience. In the concluding section titled Symbols of Eternity, a distinct group of works inspired by ultimate questions will explore the timeless source that transcends human existence and transience.

For contemporary artists, this exploration of meaning is not derived from tradition, convention, religion, or culture; instead, it is an individual choice and deep inner commitment. These creative approaches can help viewers gain a clearer understanding of the subject, allowing the process of interpretation and the role of the artwork as a vessel of meaning to serve as a way to transcend transience.

Exhibited artists: 

ASZTALOS Zsolt, BAKSAI József, BARANYAY András, CSONTÓ Lajos, CSURKA Eszter, ELEKES Károly, ÉRMEZEI Zoltán, FARKAS-PAP Éva, FEHÉR László, FERENCZY Zsolt, FILP Csaba, GAÁL József, GÁLHIDY Péter, GANCZAUGH Miklós, GÉMES Péter, GERGELY Réka, GESZTELYI NAGY Zsuzsanna, GILLY Tamás, GÖBÖLYÖS Luca, HAJDÚ Kinga, HALÁSZ Péter, HAMERLI Judit, ISKI KOCSIS Tibor, JOVIÁN György, JUHÁSZ Éva, KARÁCSONYI László, KÁRPÁTI Tamás, KESERÜ Ilona, KONDOR Attila, KOROKNAI Zsolt, KOVÁCS Lola, KÖNYV Kata, KŐ Virág, LAJTA Gábor, LIPKOVICS Péter, LOVAS Ilona, MENASÁGI Péter, NAGY Géza, OROSZ István, PÁSZTOR Gábor, PÉRELI Zsuzsa, POLGÁR Botond, RABÓCZKY Judit, RÉVÉSZ Anna, RICHTER Sára, SOÓS Nóra, SZABÓ Ábel, SZALAY Lajos, SZURCSIK József, TAKÁTS Márton, TÓTH Angelika, WECHTER Ákos

Curator: KONDOR-SZILÁGYI Mária 

On the cover is a detail from the work Katachiaru-mono II by Anna Révész