Csontváry - In the Language of Photons

Join CODE’s latest digital art journey, a multi-sensory experience 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 a 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 traces 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 the 400-square-meter Hexagon space, a more than 20-minute, 360-degree immersive projection and surround sound, which brings Csontváry’s seascapes 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 (Kiégő Izzók)

Assistant Director: Krisztina Heckler (Kiégő Izzók)

Screenplay: Andrea Sztojánovits

Art History Consultant: Gábor Rieder

Sound:
Music by Gergely Álmos
Stereo pre-mix by Gábor Várí
Péter Halász, Gábor Halász (Sepia Sound Studio) surround sound mixing

Animation:
Burning Lights: Tamás Zádor, Balázs Szőcs, Ferenc Hallgató, Eszter Papp, István Rittgasser;
Derengő Animation: Bálint Benkovits, Máté Szigeti;;
Réka Polena, Marcell Andristyák, Luca Szabó, Ivo 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 (Kiégő Izzók), Judit Bakonyi (Kiégő Izzók)

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