We visited Budapest's 21st ARC exhibition, which became more divisive than ever

In the XI. district of Budapest, the 21st ARC exhibition can be seen in Bikás Park. The ARC has been creatively presenting ideas and opinions for 21 years. The exhibition is frequently thought-provoking, outrageous and funny.

This year, applicants can “give signs of life”

Hungary’s most visited public exhibition is available until October 17. The collection is in Újbuda, the XI. district of Budapest. This district is one of the best neighbourhoods in the world according to a British newspaper. “The ARC is best known for the annual ARC Competition and Exhibition. ARC has been about freedom of creativity since 2000. Anyone can apply, and the exhibitions are open for free, 24 hours a day,” writes arcmagazin.hu. This year, more than 1,000 entries were received. From these, a 19-member jury selects the winners.

This year’s theme of the competition was life signs.

The past year has held many hardships for people. As a result of which many have lost their jobs, family members, acquaintances. In addition, the division has increased, for example, in domestic politics, environmental protection and human rights. The ARC provides an opportunity for any individual to give a virtual sign of themselves and their opinions.

Divisive exhibition

“It is merely our existence, the signs of our lives, our breath, our body temperature, our touch, our vision and, of course, most of all: creativity. That we can give voice to what we believe in,” writes arcmagazin.hu. Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, opened the exhibition in September. He said that he is a big fan of the ARC exhibition.

This year, the exhibition has become more divisive than usual.

Rajmund Junghausz is the Fidesz municipal representative of Újbuda. He expressed his displeasure on social media. In his post, he writes that he used to love the exhibition. But according to him, “the exhibition has become a distasteful provocation. The people who lead the municipality quietly assist to this and financially support this inciting, ultraliberal event. Shame.” After that, he said about the Újbuda special prize: “the artist displays a match as if only evil Nazis and dear rainbows were going to match,” writes Népszava.