Page 146 - 匈牙利当代艺术 - HUngarian Contemporary Art

Many glass artists made a significant body of work throughout these
intensive weeks of making or at least experimented with forms and technical
solutions. This is when the Hungarian Glass Art Society was formed which
is still the most significant organisation when it comes to bringing together
glass artists.

At the same time as the symposiums, the political regime changed, which
resulted in a lot of our factories closing their gates. Hot formed glass in Hungary
lived through a hard period – mainly blown glass - because glass making in the
factories slowly disappeared and with it the design and the making of utility
objects. This has weakened the background of the symposiums as well: today
this shows as a lack of factories, raw materials, and skilled people. Regardless
of the difficulties, the furnace at Bárdudavrnok is lit every year and high quality
art glass objects are made there as is shown in this catalogue too. Transparent
glass is coupled with sculptural qualities in the works of those who are using
casting as their main glass making technique. The sometimes grotesque and
funny shapes are made with great skill.

At the same time as the symposiums, the political regime changed, which
resulted in a lot of our factories closing their gates. Hot formed glass in Hungary
lived through a hard period – mainly blown glass - because glass making in the
factories slowly disappeared and with it the design and the making of utility
objects. This has weakened the background of the symposiums as well: today
this shows as a lack of factories, raw materials, and skilled people. Regardless
of the difficulties, the furnace at Bárdudvarnok is lit every year and high quality
art glass objects are made there as is shown in this catalogue too. Transparent
glass is coupled with sculptural qualities in the works of those who are using
casting as their main glass making technique. The sometimes grotesque and
funny shapes are made with great skill.

The other area of glass art in Hungary – which has many internationally
famous representatives at this exhibition - can be seen in cold worked fine
art pieces. All the fire of creation, that could not be fulfilled because of the
difficulties outlined in hot glass making before, created visual miracles through
cutting, polishing and gluing. The mirroring surfaces made with the precision
of an engineer, the spectacular effects that break and divert the journey of
light brought many international acknowledgments to their Hungarian makers.
Although Hungary is not famous for its glass factories, the earlier periods
helped artists to accomplish themselves without an industrial background,
furthermore: they invested significant energies and intellectual products
to become makers who well deserve to be known around the world today.
Dedicated people help glass artists to show their works in galleries and
organise exhibitions amongst them the Hefter Gallery and Museum, Kiskép
Gallery and Erdész Gallery and Design who took a significant part to realise
this exhibition and the adjoining catalogue, supporting in this way the work of
contemporary Hungarian glass artists.