21 Dec 2010

Blood Mountain Foundation launches with exhibition by Diango Hernandez

Blood Mountain Foundation is pleased to announce the start of its Artist-in-Residence Programme with an inaugural exhibition by Diango Hernández.

Hernández's exhibition, 'a kiss, a hat, a stamp', pays tribute to Budapest's tradition of independent creative practices and its rich culture of second-hand goods. Hernández uses a process of finding, assembling, creating and re-appropriating materials sourced from flea markets, antique dealerships and a specialist artisan workshop. His exhibition focuses on fragments - rather than whole objects - and edges - as opposed to surface areas - allowing found objects to take on new forms and new meanings in their revised settings.

The exhibition comprises two sculptures, two wall paintings, a collage and a room installation in collaboration with Valéria Fazekas, a key member of Hungary's diminishing artisan community. A poignant comment on the city's past and present is made by positioning Fazekas's 20 unique head pieces in shades of grey and black on an aged bookshelf, juxtaposed with original press prints of industry, collective sports and new architecture of the bygone Soviet era. The comment is further emphasised by Blood Mountain's location on an Ottoman era battleground and by its striking setting in a former family estate designed by a prominent architect of the Habsburg Empire.

This is Hernández's first solo show in Hungary.

All artworks were conceived during the residency at Blood Mountain Foundation in November 2010 and can be viewed by appointment until 30 January 2011.

Artist's talk
Tuesday 18 January 2011
6 to 7pm (free and in English, booking is essential)

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Blood Mountain Foundation is a private, non-profit organisation committed to generating fresh discourse about contemporary culture and current affairs. Based in Budapest (Hungary), it seeks inspiration from the city's rich history and diverse cultural heritage and provides opportunities for exchange between local and international art practitioners and the broader community through curatorial and education programmes, residencies and special projects.

The Artist-in-Residence Programme offers up to four emerging to mid-career international artists the opportunity to live and work in Budapest for four to eight week periods each year. They are encouraged to engage with all aspects of the city and to develop new work inspired by their experiences.

For more information please contact us directly: info@bloodmountain.org / +36.1.326.18.44.