'Sex, Money And Chocolate Cake' by The Budapest Sun Staff

The question, formulated by ARC’s organizers, provided a framework for this year’s billboard/poster competition, which ends with the current open-air display at Ötvenhatosok tere near Heroes’ Square, where a selection of the most thought-provoking, entertaining, and visually effective works that were sent in, are showcased. 

For the other prizes, the focus, perhaps inevitably, shifted to politics and money, two of the main issues that rule our daily lives. Márkus András’s subtle and ironic sense of humor, which won him second place, apparently provoked some headaches for the members of the jury, who needed time to realize that the nameplate of the left-wing daily Népszabadság was written with the letter-type used by the right-wing Magyar Nemzet newspaper.

Third place went to László Bencze, who depicted two modern “saints” with hallows above their heads and a determined gaze. “Peti” and “Magdi” are holding a credit card and money, respectively, in hands clasped in prayer.

There was no shortage of sexually loaded works either. Vivien Malatinszky’s stylized poster of a woman’s legs spread wide apart, will, no doubt, be read by some as condescending towards women. For that reason, perhaps, it created a new, Dilemma category, and it can be viewed only on the www.arcmagazin.hu website because of its “controversial content.”

Greetings from Budapest in 2059, by Alexandra Damacsek, landed her the social prize. Graphic design is only her hobby; Damacsek confessed, when she picked up her prize, to working as a shop assistant in a book shop. 

Ötvenhatosok tere might have seen more exciting ARC posters in the previous years, although the competition itself is much more diversified now. 

Sponsors like Coca-Cola, which this year celebrates the 40th anniversary of the first appearance of that familiar little bottle on the Hungarian market, has joined in with a photographic and video contest of retro images that encapsulate happy feelings from the past. 

Graphic designers were also called on to create new images for two meter-tall Coca-Cola bottles, some of which can be seen at this exhibition.

Mobile phone maker Nokia, also encouraged the new generation of graphic artists to reflect on the topic of music and dance, two things that could trigger, if not happiness itself, then joyful feelings in people. 

One poster, of two kids by the sea looking into the sun set, which read: “Whoever knows the answer, did not really understand the question,” might give a clue at to why the punch lines were less revealing and the images less effective this year.


9.ARC Exhibition
Ötvenhatosok tere near
Heroes’ Square
Until Sep 16
Free Entry"

Source: Budapest Sun