Vadas József (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 10. (Budapest, 1991)

Events 1987-1989

June 8. The exhibits ranged from Akseli Gallen-Kallela's art nouveau design which originate in Finnish folklore to the sensitive, sometimes ironic, modern forms. Mauno Koivisto, the Finnish president, also visited the exhibition. BENT-WOOD FURNITURE was the title of an exhibition produced by Eva Kiss which opened in September. The Thonet Company's famous trend-setting furniture, together with the various exhibits of other companies which adopted and, in some cases, even perfected this style, were displayed. The exhibition catalogue, which was compiled with great care, presented some new research findings. The address opening the exhibition was delivered by Ákos Moravánszky. Rare examples of commercial packaging from the Biedermeier age to art nouveau were shown in a small exhibition organized by Zsuzsa Lovay. This was opened by theatrical director János Szikora on September 23. An unusual folding leaflet was published to accompany the exhibition, and contained information concerning the items placed on display. The big event launched by the Museum in the second half of the year was the exhibition entitled BRITISH DESIGN IN THE COLLECTION OF THE MUSEUM OF APPLIED ARTS. Organized by Ferenc Batári, this presented a highquality selection from all branches of the Museum's stock. The catalogue contained essays by different authors, and the list of the exhibited objects was complemented by some previously-unpublished research findings. The exhibition was opened on October 7 by Dr. György Fekete, president of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce's British section. Between November 4 and December 4, artists who had won a Lajos Kozma scholarship placed examples of their work on show-thus creating the beginnings of a tradition. The artists, who were exhibiting for the first time, were Katalin Abaházi, a leather designer; Zsuzsa Lázár, a potter, Ida Lencsés and Éva S. Farkas, gobelin designers; and Ágnes Smetana, a glass designer. In December an exhibition of Christmas tree decorations was the last event of the year. The Kaláka Ensemble played during the prize-giving ceremony, in the course of which the children who had taken part in the competition either individually or in groups received their awards. In autumn 1988 an important event took place in the Nagytétény Castle Museum. This was the exhibition held in memory of Erzseben Schaar and Tibor Vilt which continued until November 20. On November 11 Adrienn Csengery performed György Kurtág's Attila József Cycle in the Castle Museum. The scientific staff of the Museum participated in the preparations of the catalogue for the Pulszky memorial exhibition, organized in the Museum of Fine Arts. They also worked on the exhibition and catalogue of the Hungarian National Gallery entitled "A Gallery of Ancient Aristocrats". In Summer 1988 ART NOUVEAU, MASTERPIECES FROM 1900 was organized at the Kecskemét Gallery by Ferenc Batári. The items displayed were drawn from the early acquisitions of the Museum. Exhibitions abroad For museologists and the wider public alike the most successful of the exhibitions held abroad was the one organized in the building of the Luxembourg National Museum by Éva Csengey on ceramic work from the Zsolnay factory. 1989 The Hungarian Chamber of Commerce organized an exhibition in the building of the Museum of Applied Arts between March 17 and March 26. This exhibition,