Hungarian Artists Discuss Public Art and Social Engagement in 2003 Interviews

Art historian Erzsébet Tatai interviewed three Hungarian artists deeply involved in public art and social issues. Róza El-Hassan initiated the 2003 public art event Moszkva tér (Gravitation) in Budapest. Tibor Várnagy, active since the 1980s, runs Liget Gallery and co-founded the group Substitute Thirsters; his 2000 work supported homeless people through a newspaper advertisement. Miklós Erhardt collaborates with Dominic Hislop as Big Hope, creating projects like Inside Out (1997-98) where homeless individuals photographed their lives. All three artists have exhibited internationally, including in New York, Berlin, Vienna, and at the Venice Biennale. Várnagy edits the periodical Manamana, which bridges art and activism. El-Hassan addresses issues like overpopulation through sculptural metaphors and collaborative projects. Erhardt emphasizes art's role in making social realities visible, critiquing institutional elitism. The interviews explore tensions between art and politics, the marginalization of critical voices in Hungary, and efforts to engage broader publics beyond traditional gallery spaces.