Nagy Ildikó szerk.: A Magyar Nemzeti Galéria Évkönyve 1989-1991 (MNG Budapest, 1993)
EXHIBITIONS - Symmetry and Asymmetry (Mariann Gergely)
SYMMETRY AND ASYMMETRY September — October 1989 An international interdisciplinary symposium on "Symmetry of Structure" was held by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and relating to the theme an art exhibition was organized at the Hungarian National Gallery. The many possible approaches to the notion of symmetry offered a wide spectrum for the investigations of the scientists-mathematicians, physicists, ethnographers, computer specialists, musicographers — who participated at the session, the symbolism of motifs on ancient batik textiles from Java being just as relevant as computer processing of ultra modern electronic systems. Symmetry and its counterpart asymmetry are an interesting problem also in the eyes of those practising the visual arts: the works presented at the art exhibition testify to this. The involvement of artists concerning their chosen medium, their attraction to classical proportions or their experimenting vein, their philosophical insights, scientific approach, their advances toward concept-art or their constructivist ambitions, the ingenuity of the performer, the precision of the graphic artist were all factors determining how they touched on the question. Hence the artists following the geometric disciplines of symmetry and seeking the inherent laws of pictorial expression (Tamás Hencze, Ákos Birkás, Dóra Maurer, Margit Szilvitzky, Zsigmond Károlyi) showed harmony in the unison of various compositional elements, similarly to György Buczkó, Gyula Gulyás and Tibor Csiky who made up their constructions from corresponding components of sculptures in glass and in metal. Zoltán Ermezei and János Rauschenberger , shapers of environment combined the symmetry of reflection with a play on words, an inversion of letters juxtaposing concepts. Gyula Pauer fixed a mask cast in plaster of Tamás Szentjóby upside down on a shiny black circle-shaped surface, and made it identifiable by way of reflection. The prints of Hindoo motifs on the graphic works by József Goal were shifted along axes. On the stitched paperwork by Kati Székelyi coloured amorphous shapes revolved around a centre point. "History of Creation / Pencils Drawing One Another" by Miklós Erdély shows a series of logical reasonings in a chart-like presentation. The graphic works of Nóra Gergely capture moments where the mind is at peace in the symmetric positions of meditative yoga. Photographers from this country and abroad applied the techniques of clipping and montage to create symmetric spectacles (like Ede Halbauer and Péter Türk), matching positives and negatives was particularly frequent (Béla Kelényi, Attila Pácser). A more systematic, methodical approach characterized participants from abroad. Works to be cited are a xeroxed series of geometrical figures by D. G. Emmerich, the scores based on mathematical systems by P. Escot, small wooden models to demonstrate rotation of the reflecting medium by W. S. Huff. Kajikawa presented elaborate geometrical models, Steele decorative reel-prints symmetrically arranged. The pyramid of mirrors surrounded with sand by Gábor Császári and his woman-colleague from Hamburg was a monumental sight in the darkened room. Laser-composition (by Attila Csáji), computer-graphics (by Digitart Studio), constructional design (by Iván Máriási), picture-verse (by András Petöcz), kaleidoscope (by György Olajos), series of botanical diagrams (by Zsuzsa Bunke) were also exhibited. The variety of the works and pseudo-works of art, due to the many possible interpretations of the notions in question, brought an atmosphere of intellectual excitement for the public, a rare feeling nowadays within museum walls. This may inspire the organizers to present more often other exhibitions similarly based on a set problem. Mariann Gergely
