Sedlmayer János - Juan Cabello: Dr. Gerő László (Kiállítási katalógusok)

Work of architect Dr. László Gerő This exhibition and booklet are designed to present the work of architect Dr László Gero, with illustrations of blueprints, photos, publications, graphical works, books and periodicals. We have exhibited the extensive oeuvre of a prominent Hungarian architect; an oeuvre of which not only László Gerő himself, but all of us who work in the field of monument protection, have all the reason to be proud. László Gerő's work is both complex and versatile. There were times - at the end of the 1940s and beginning of the 1950s - when Gerő was the only „Architect" in the predecessor of OMF (National Monument Protection Supervision) bearing the brunt of technical jobs and taking a rich helping of other tasks, as well. He judged and approved plans, consulted colleagues giving them his ideas, planned a fair number of restoration works, researched, wrote studies and gare lectures. Later on he worked on a number of assignments, acting as designing architect, urban development specialist, organiser, writer of professional works and professor. In OMF, the monument protection organisation reorganised twenty-five years ago, he had the opportunity to surround himself with some able young architects some of them his former students, and others who became his staunch supporters working with him. At mat time he could already afford to share some of the work on restoration projects he had started earlier, while in his capacity as head of the Technical Department of OMF he controlled planning and administrative work which then was part of OMF's responsibilities. His responsibilities changed after 1961 when he was assigned, or rather chose, jobs more fitting his personal interests and professional qualities. Others would certainly have interpreted this as relegation to an inferior position - but not him. He continued to work with the same enthusiasm and .unrelenting effort. His exploits were rewarded on several occasions: he became candidate of technical sciences, he was awarded a State Honour in 1972, after an Ybl Prize in 1958, and he also won one of the highest international awards, the Herder Prize, in 1974. László Gerő stressed, on several occasions, that he was primarily a designing architect. And indeed, he embodies the ideal we all hold of a true designer. His broad knowledge of life past and present, his exquisite taste, professional qualities, the multitude of his ideas and the strength to convey them, are qualities that make him a truly firstclass architect. Clear, transparent solutions dominate his designs and an artitistic touch rounds out the overall effect. Consciously, he considers architecture an art of the space, and consequently devotes the most attention to the overall appearance of the space. He considers simplicity of importance for identification with Hungarian relics and for conformity with our more modest monuments. He places special emphasis on the detail - like stone paving, ironworks, etc. - therefore, he usually trusts able craftsmen, sometimes even exceptionally talented artists with these jobs. Cases in point are the interior of the sanctuary of the Belváros (Inner City) church in Budapest, the interior of the Siklós castle chapel, the Sigismund Hall and the chapel of the Buda Palace. Gerő was always a staunch champion, both in his writings and in his lectures, of preventive monument protection. (Preventive Monument Protection, Budapest 1950). We are inclined to forget about this task that should come as simple and natural, because architects usually meet sick buildings. Preventive monument protection should obviously be the first and