Tibor Horváth’s exhibition, similarly to his previous works, has been inspired by the political public life of the present and recent past, as well as its social consequences. The limitation of intellectual freedom, the blooming of commendable loyalty, and the immovability of rigidified structures constitute the basic experiences that have called the exhibition to life. The radical, taboo-subverting, and provocative critique of society and its institutions that has always characterized Horváth’s art is also present in his new works. Irony and acerbic sarcasm are absent, however, giving way to disillusionment and numbness.

The exhibition presents three new installations by the artist, who is otherwise known for his varied use of media; he is just as much at ease in the genres of drawing, photo, video, and object, as in the world of actions and installations. In his new works, the “freedom fighting” political narrative and zeal, the rhetoric of heroic resistance, and the image of a small but talented nation that can stand on its own feet are counterpointed by the various segments of social reality.  

In connection with his exhibition, Tibor Horváth notes: "The freedom-fighting failures that have become a part of Hungarian identity were conceived in systems and forms of state that were exposed to reigning »domainal« dependence, where the power mechanism of drowning such strivings in blood was a basic element of the system’s well-directed operation. Pink is the color of fighting for liberty. For us, the outcome was blood red. In our current modus operandi, relations are confused; citizens who are continuously fighting for freedom occasionally put their own accountants – sometimes even the butcher – to the edge of the sword, while they are not to flinch when hosting a dinner for the meter man or the person responsible for going door to door and collecting endorsement sheets for electoral candidates. The fight for freedom becomes a permanent condition, »freedom fighters« are always better, freedom is a word of small-case letters even when written as FREEDOM.”

(The exhibition is closed on the 1st and 2nd of May.)

Supported by: NKA