Playing the same game – „plaiting the same mat”

An exhibition of masters from the Carpathian basin working with willow, straw, rush and corn husk

„Culture cannot be inherited. The culture of our ancestors soon vanishes unless each generation obtains it for themselves.”

Kodály Zoltán

Both historical and archeological data prove that the use of pliable plants always had a great importance in the history of mankind, and thus in the history of the Magyars as well. They were used to build dwellings, applied in and around the house, for storing and carrying goods, for making clothes, on weekdays and high days alike. It can be said that these materials accompanied us from cradle to coffin.

During the centuries objects made from willow, straw, rush or corn husk were created to be practical and useful, but through their makers’ sense of beauty they also gained artistic value and raised them to the level of being a piece of art..

„Basket making” – as the activity of working with willow, straw, rush and corn husk is collectively called – has never been the top representative genre of folk art. The real appreciation of this less attractive activity, no matter how much manual labour and skill it involves, has long been awaited for. Due to the priority of the functional purpose of these objects, their aesthetic qualities have often remained unnoticed.

It was in the 1970s that the movements searching for our traditional roots started to value the pure quality, the harmony of function and form of these objects. Ethnographers and researchers have also noticed the art in these simple pieces made from pliable materials and granted real attention to their makers as well.

The present exhibition represents the high-quality work of masters from the Carpathian basin. Visitors are given an insight into the way these craftsmen preserve the forms rooted in Hungarian tradition, how they maintain the balanced unity between function and beauty, fulfilling the highest expectations of men in the 21st century.

Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to find masters working with willow, straw, rush or corn husk „having been born in the village tradition”. That is why we especially salute and honour their skills; in some cases we can greet them only posthumous.

We can proudly say that not only men attracted by the beauty of these pieces of folk art attribute great importance of these objects, but health and environment conscious visitors too, and we sincerely hope that all can feel the warmth radiating from the artefacts made fully from domestic material, grown, harvested and created by Hungarian masters.

The exhibition is organised by the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists.

Open: 18^th – 27^th August 2009.