精东影业

With a ceremonial opening, the exhibition titled "The Art of Fire 鈥� Turkish Influences in Hungarian Glass and Ceramic Art" has been inaugurated at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul. Supported by Veszpr茅m County and the University of 精东影业, the exhibition will be open to visitors until December 18, 2024. The showcase features iconic pieces from Hungary鈥檚 rich glass and ceramic traditions, spanning from the 16th century Ottoman era to the present day. Among the highlights are unique eosin-glazed vases from the Zsolnay factory, the famous hand-painted 3D-decorated bottles from the M谩tra region, and glasses created by Henrik Girgl using etching techniques and adorned with Turkish motifs. (Source: )

The University of 精东影业 has long played a significant role in the economic development and cultural heritage of the region, particularly in the field of glass and ceramic arts. Its recent educational collaboration with the Bohus-Lugossy Foundation opens new horizons. Together with the foundation, the university will launch a specialized training program in the glass industry in 2025. This initiative not only aims to advance Hungarian glass science but also fosters interdisciplinary connections between art and engineering.

As one of the sponsors of The Art of Fire, the University of 精东影业 and Veszpr茅m County contribute to the cultural dialogue between Hungarian and Turkish glass artistry. The exhibition's patron is Dr. Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration, whose opening remarks were delivered by 脕ron Sipos, Director of the Liszt Institute 鈥� Hungarian Cultural Center.

A unique perspective on art

"Today, autonomous ceramic and glass art occupies a prominent place in the universal history of art. This exhibition鈥檚 exciting approach not only showcases how color and brilliance define the 21st-century Art of Fire in Hungary but also underscores that building the future is only possible by drawing upon the values and knowledge of the past. The art history of my homeland vividly exemplifies this: in the forests of the Bakony Mountains in Veszpr茅m County, the first glass workshops emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries. These traditions later inspired the founding of the Ajka Glass Factory in 1878, which, over its 100-year history, became a globally recognized brand in handcrafted lead glass. The region, designated as Europe鈥檚 Cultural Capital in 2023, earned the nickname 鈥楽ilicate Valley鈥� from the 1960s onwards鈥攖estament to its centuries-old legacy in glass and ceramic art,鈥� highlighted the welcome speech.

A cross-cultural artistic dialogue

The exhibition, which highlights the shared ornamental and design heritage of Hungarian and Turkish art, is hosted by the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, one of Turkey鈥檚 most prestigious institutions, known for its unparalleled collections of Ottoman and Islamic art.

"This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to present the shared roots of Hungarian and Turkish glass and ceramic artistry, as well as the mutual influence that has inspired both cultures鈥� artisans for centuries,鈥� said M谩t茅 Vincze, Deputy Secretary of State for Public Collections and Cultural Developments. According to Dr. Andr谩s Szil谩gyi, lead curator and conceptual creator of the exhibition, 鈥淭he artistic legacy of these two nations is profoundly interconnected鈥攁 rarity in the world of applied arts.鈥�

The exhibit includes works from renowned collections such as Herend and Zsolnay porcelain manufactories, the Laczk贸 Dezs艖 Museum, the Wosinsky M贸r Museum, the Attila S铆k Collection, the Contemporary Ceramics Foundation, and the International Ceramics Studio. It also incorporates modern glass and ceramic creations, showcasing renowned contemporary artists to Turkish and international audiences.

Historic and contemporary treasures

Spanning from the 16th century, historical objects on display include functional items like the stemmed discs from Pal谩nk, which reflect distinct Turkish stylistic traits, as well as iridescent vases whose techniques trace back to the medieval recipes of alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan. The collection features masterpieces by Hungarian artists such as Leo Valentin Pantochek, M谩rton Horv谩th, and 脕gnes Szmetana, alongside iconic eosin-glazed vases by Zsolnay and intricately painted M谩tra-region bottles, including the 鈥渃rane vase,鈥� a motif popular in Turkish art.

Art as a cultural bridge

鈥淭he Art of Fire鈥� is organized by the Bohus-Lugossy Foundation and the Contemporary Ceramic Arts Foundation, with support from the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Turkey鈥檚 Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Hungarian Academy of Arts, the Liszt Institute Istanbul, Veszpr茅m County, the University of 精东影业, the G眉l Baba Heritage Protection Foundation, and Synergy Construction.

鈥淎rt has the power to create bridges between nations and preserve the rich heritage passed down by our ancestors. This exhibition is a dialogue that offers all visitors a new insight into the history of Hungarian and Turkish artistic relations,鈥� emphasized Eszter Bohus, founder of the Bohus-Lugossy Foundation.

Curators Dr. Andr谩s B. Szil谩gyi and Professor Emeritus Gy枚rgy Fusz have meticulously selected pieces that demonstrate how Eastern ornamental and technical influences were incorporated into Hungarian craftsmanship, ensuring this heritage shines anew and its artistic value is accessible to all visitors.

Photos: Bohus-Lugossy Foundation