Magyar News, 2004. szeptember-2005. augusztus (15. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-12-01 / 4. szám
An illustration for a 1925 edition from Austria. It was a body of craftsmen who created objects with an emphasis on stylized natural motifs, two-dimensional designs, simplified ornamentation, and abstract and geometric patterns. These influences and the Hungarian peasant art, which is filled with bright colors and simplified floral designs are evident in Kárász's work. Kárász married Willem Nyland (1890- 1975), a Dutch-American chemist and gifted pianist. Soon after their marriage, the couple built a home in Brewster, New York. They continued adding to the house, eventually creating a quirky assemblage of twenty-one rooms winding up the hill, in 1923 a close family friend and frequent visitor, described the house as Kárász's "real masterpiece" and noted that she decorated the curtains, furniture, and plates herself. Though Kárász's work with decorative arts began in the 1910s, she created the greatest variety of objects and developed many of her most successful designs in the late 1920s. By that time, she was part of a large influx of European-born artists and designers in New York, all trained and working in European modes and seeking to establish a strong American modem presence. By joining together to form groups based on European models, Karasz and her peers presented significant exhibitions, developed ties to manufacturers, and promoted modem design in this country. This rich period in her career and in modem design in America was truncated by the stock market crash of 1929. However, Kárász adapted to the changes in American design brought about by the new financial climate, and by the mid-1930s was designing affordable modem furniture for nurseries. There, she used simple geometric forms, basic colors, sanitary designs without dust-and germ- catching details, washable materials, and elements intended to engage the child. Kárász had two children, Carola and Eric. She approached nursery design with both a designer's and a mother's understanding. Kárász designed for Buffalo China from July 1934 to at least February 1937. Buffalo manufactured primarily restaurant and industrial china, with numerous specialty designs for dinners and railroad companies. Kárász avoided the detailed floral patterns ware; instead she employed simplified modern designs inspired by nature, "a refreshing innovation to the industry." Beginning in the late 1930s, a renewed interest in patterned walls Following World War II, Kárász built a reputation as one of the top wallpaper designers in America. Her papers reflected her growing interest in Eastern art. Kárász designed 186 covers for The New Yorker between 1925, the year the magazine was founded, and 1973. Her covers stand out as particularly peaceful and pleasant; they rarely partake in the wry humor seen on many covers and seldom depict members of New York's elite society. Many of her covers document the places where she lived and vacationed. Kárász's earliest covers are bold modemist designs, reflecting the influence of Cubism. By late 1965 Kárász's covers were exclusively scenes of nature, devoid View of an Employment Office of human figures. Kárász also worked successfully as an illustrator of books and book jackets. The American Institute of Graphic Arts selected Kárász's The Twelve Days of Christmas as one of the "Fifty Books of the Year of 1949, including it in their prestigious annual exhibition. By about 1970, Kárász's activity level began to decline. She ceased maintaining a space in the city, discontinued working with manufacturers, and she submitted designs for magazine covers less frequently. In 1981 she died in Warwick, New York, in the care of her daughter.” Unfortunately the policy of the Museum in Georgia does not give permission to freely reproduce the art pieces. This is customary in general. There were many pieces I would like to show that carried the Hungarian folk art influence. There is one solution, and that is for our readers to get into their car and drive to New Brunswick. The exhibition is open through February 6, 2005. The telephone is 732-846-5777 J.F.B. LOCAL CHURCH GROUP PUBLISHES HUNGARIAN COOKBOOK The Women's Guild of the Calvin Reformed Church (f/k/a The Hungarian Reformed Church) has collected the best recipes from group members, family and friends and compiled them into an attractive keepsake cookbook. They have begun selling their one-of-akind cookbooks for $10. They may be purchased from any member of the organization or at the Church. This cookbook contains 450 well-loved Hungarian recipes including appetizers, soups, main dishes, desserts and many others. For more information, please contact Barbara at (203) 838-6829 or call the church at (203) 838-6769 and leave a message. One of the Guild members will get back to you. CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHILDREN The Pannónia Club as in every year will hold this memorable event. The program will be performed by children in our area. It will take place at ST. EMERY’S CHURCH HALL DECEMBER 12, SUNDAY AT 4:00 pm The children, performers and visitors, will receive a Christmas present. The yearly Pannónia Scholarship will be presented also Page 7
