Dictator Art - in Hungary??
February 14 2012
Picture: The Art Newspaper
There's an interesting piece in The Art Newspaper on the new right-wing government in Hungary taking control of the arts. The government has even commissioned patriotic paintings, one of which features Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister. Which is what they do in North Korea. Julia Michalska has the story:
Since coming to power with a two-thirds majority in 2010, Orban’s Fidesz party has passed more than 350 laws and rushed through a constitution which, the international community argues, endangers Hungarian democracy. Last month, to celebrate the official inauguration of the constitution, Orban opened a government-organised exhibition at the National Gallery. It chronicles 1,000 years of Hungarian history, focusing on sovereign statehood and Christianity (until 16 August). The show includes 15 large state-commissioned canvases depicting important historic events spanning 150 years, including an image of Orban. The event contributed to the decision by the National Gallery’s director, Ferenc Csak, to resign before the show opened. “The government shouldn’t have the power to order exhibitions with such a high political agenda. Museums shouldn’t be getting involved in politics,” says Csak.
