28 09 - 30 11 2013 Pavelhaus, Laafeld, Austria
Baglyas has made a site-specific work for the Pavelhaus show. The installation of a cordon barrier system before the entrance to the exhibition space creates a detour for the visitor, which forces them into a uniform path, where there is no room for individuality or independent decisions. Such a system is usually used to uphold order.
The texts written on the belts in Hungarian runic writing are imperative sentences asking the visitor to “not do” something. The disputed origins of Hungarian runes go back to the 8th century, and read right to left. In Hungary today (since 2010), this writing plays an increasing role in public space, and symbolises the “common ancient Hungarian knowledge” as a virtue of the nationalist political ideology – though most Hungarians are not familiar with it. Baglyas decided to use these runes for her instructions on the belts precisely because there are so few who know this language, either in Hungary or in Europe. Transcribing English sentences into these runes is just as senseless as its use in Hungary in 2013. She offers this game of writing for all those who would like to learn something about the “famous Hungarian past”, and which is an ideological message used for political aims, showing an increasingly threatening view of the future in today’s Hungary. - Adele Eisenstein -
photo: Gabriella Csoszó The sentences that can be deciphered – with the postcard key – on the cordon belts in English: |
1. Please do not be Gypsy!
2. Please do not be Jewish!
3. Please do not be gay!
4. Please do not be different!
5. Please do not be empathetic!
6. Please do not be selfless!
7. Please do not feel free!
8. Please do not stand here!
9. Please do not stand there!
10. Please do not convene!
11. Please do not argue!
12. Please do not think!
13. Please do not get upset!
14. Please do not go crazy!
15. Please never lose your sense of wonder!
16. Please do not ask!
17. Please do not go too far!
18. Please stop trying to learn more!
photo: Gabriella Csoszó |
The Key of Runic Writing | from right side to left
Way into the future, 2013, paper, tempera, ink, runic writing, 22,9x30,5cm |
Artists
Szabad Művészek / Free Artists (HU) | Gabriella
Csoszó / Freedoc (HU) | Kívül Tágas / Outer Space (HU)
| Erika Baglyas (HU) | Borsos Lőrinc (HU) | Tibor Horváth (HU) | András
Király (HU) | Szabolcs Kisspál (HU) | Csaba Nemes (HU) | Ilona Németh (SK) | János
Sugár (HU) Miklós Erdély (HU) |
Gyula Pauer (HU) | Sándor Pinczehelyi (HU) | Tamás St.Auby (HU) | Endre Tót (HU)
curated by Adèle
Eisenstein (USA/HU)