Exhibition Shows Strength And Diversity

“Hungarian-American Exhibition” through Oct. 2, at the Daniel Corbin Gallery, Corbin Art Center

For those who recently braved the crowds at the Spokane Interstate Fair, Ken Yuhasz’s sculpture “Been Too Long at the Fair” might just capture that feeling of having ridden that ride a tad too long, eaten one too many hot dogs, and most importantly, laughed too hard. Yuhasz’s sculpture, assembled from neon, argon and fused glass, is just one of a number of art selections well worth seeing at the Corbin Art Center before the show departs on Oct. 2.

The “Hungarian-American Exhibition” is a unique opportunity to see a group of artists not often brought together. Five Hungarian/American artists from across the U.S. have contributed works to this show, and although the exhibit tells us little about their cultural heritage, the gathering does succeed in capturing the diversity of approach and material evident in contemporary art.

The two most distinctive artists, Ken Yuhasz and Katalin Kotvics, have used a variety of atypical materials that could only offer potential to the right imagination.

Yuhasz, one of two local artists in the show, manages to convey humor and visual appeal despite the use of disjointed parts such as neon and “found objects.” Often when an artist incorporates “found objects” into art, the shock of the object detracts from the impact of the whole. In this case, Yuhasz achieves results that are both entertaining and pleasing to the eye.

Kotvics’ works may seem puzzling and less appealing in the traditional sense, but they compel the viewer to explore them further. This New York artist has created wall-mounted constructions which are encased behind translucent latex sheets. Viewing the pieces is like peering through a foggy window; a hint of mystery, even of sinister content, leaves the observer with conflicting desires both to move closer and back away. One discovers from the artist’s statement that this duality is exactly what she intends - is this a sculpture or a painting, is the focus on the inside or outside, surface or content?

Although few of these pieces refer to a Hungarian tradition, at least one of the artists turns to the European arena for inspiration. The “Bosnian Series” by Ildiko Kalapacs portrays two figures engaged with one another, and while initially it is unclear if the figures are embracing or fighting, the tension between the figures gradually emerges through the heavily expressive and thickly applied paints.

The Corbin Art Center should be commended for bringing this exhibition together, and targeting a group - Hungarian/Americans - that does not often get addressed in the art world. Questions are raised, and not always answered. One is left wondering if the cultural identity that tied this group together is represented in the work, and if so, what kind of an artistic language translates such a meaning? On the other hand, it is refreshing to see that these artists do not need to exploit a cultural identity to create a successful piece of art.

For more information regarding this and other fall exhibits, call the Corbin Art Center at 625-6677.