Csontváry - In the Language of Photons

Join CODE’s digital art journey that engages all the senses, exploring the life and art of one of the most famous figures in Hungarian painting, Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka, into a unique, immersive experience.

Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka (1853–1919) is, by far, the best-known and most beloved Hungarian painter. His paintings—thanks to the ubiquitous reproductions—have become ingrained in the Hungarian collective consciousness, and his iconic works dominate every “best of” list in the art world. His contemporaries, however, tended to regard him as a fanciful madman, and it was not until half a century after his death that the general publicthat he was a brilliant painter, one of the greatest figures in modern Hungarian visual art. His popularity has only grown since then, but his life and his body of work—which consists of fewer than one hundred and twenty paintings—remain shrouded in secrets and mysteries. During his brief career, he obsessively sought out “sunlight painting”—the unique effects of light, that is, the language of photons. This time, Csontváry’s works are not on canvas, but come to life through the language of light as an audiovisual journey that comes to life through the language of light, through the movement of photons, with a unique visual and auditory world, in the distinctive spaces of CODE.

The Experience Corridor features a spectacular multimedia exhibition that showcases the key stages of Csontváry’s life— from his childhood through his years as a pharmacist to his decision to become a painter. The animated images, interactive effects, and art historical analyses, you can discover how a pharmacist became a visionary painter; how the artist’s worldview and inner universe took shape, and how the Csontváry myth emerged after his death.    

In this space, you can step into a floating, abstract universe where the metamorphosis of Csontváry’s colors, the power of his brushstrokes, and the lights hidden in his skies are transformed into an audiovisual poem. This three-dimensional contemporary work, which fills the entire space, and moving light forms, allows you to be not only a viewer but also a participant in the painter’s art.

In the 400-square-meter Hexagon space, a more than 20-minute, 360-degree immersive projection and surround sound, which brings Csontváry’s water landscapes to life. Based on the painter’s biography and his major works, you can follow his travels across five chapters, from Selmecbánya to Baalbek, from the silence of the Carpathians to the cedars of Lebanon. The paintings surround you; the colors, lights, and sounds tell stories. Works of art such as the view of Selmecbánya and The Lonely Cedar come to life here.

Artistic Directors: Andrea Sztojánovits, media artist; Tamás Zádor, media artist (Kiégő Izzók)

Biographical introduction and art history texts: Gábor Rieder, art historian

Composer: Gergely Álmos, musician and architect

Concept and Artistic Consultant: Can Togay, screenwriter, film director, media artist

Directors: Andrea Sztojánovits, Tamás Zádor (Glowing Bulbs)

Assistant Director: Krisztina Heckler (Glowing Bulbs)

Screenplay: Andrea Sztojánovits

Art History Consultant: Gábor Rieder

Sound: Gergely Álmos (composition), Gábor Vár (stereo pre-mix), Péter Halász and Gábor Halász (Sepia Sound Studio) (surround sound mixing)

Animation:
Kiégő Izzók: Tamás Zádor, Balázs Szőcs, Ferenc Hallgató, Eszter Papp, István Rittgasser; 
Dawn Animation: Bálint Benkovits, Máté Szigeti;;
Réka Polena, Marcell Andristyák, Luca Szabó, Iván Kovács, Andrea Sztojánovits

Graphics:
Gréta Straubinger, Eszter Szabó, Andrea Sztojánovits

The spoken texts are excerpted from the biographical essay on Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka.

Hungarian voice: Simon Szabó – actor, director

English voice: Patrick Mullowney – actor

Editing and translation: Hanna Tardos

Programming: Gáspár Hajdú

Contributors: Farkas Fülöp (Glowing Bulbs), Judit Bakonyi (Glowing Bulbs)

Institutions and owners lending reproductions:
Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest; Janus Pannonius Museum, Pécs; Kieselbach Gallery (through an intermediary); Virág Judit Gallery and Auction House (via livestream); Herman Ottó Museum, Miskolc; private collectors