You have everything you want?

The exhibition explores expectation of miracles in the Kádár era from a contemporary perspective. Our concept is based upon the life path of first-generation intellectuals who came from villages. Rather than covering the entire period of the Kádár era, the exhibition focuses on two decades – the sixties and seventies – when the so-called “lottery houses” (flats to be won on the lottery) were built, symbolizing the expectation of miracles.

By then the universal and iconic objects and concepts of social desire had taken shape and become available, although it took time and perhaps a miracle to achieve them. The life path provided by the political system (with free or cheap higher education, dormitories, rentals, cultural products) was lined with inaccessible objects (such as a self-owned apartment or telephone) that required collaboration with the state or luck.

The aim of the exhibition is to juxtapose the concept of expectation of miracles that had developed over the centuries with the opportunities offered by the socialist regime, and to examine whether and in what sense an expectation of miracles was characteristic to the Kádár era.

The first video on display revolves around the issue of miracle and what it means to expect a miracle. It is followed by interviews explaining miracle from a political and sociological perspective, or from the standpoint of architecture and cultural history. In addition to personal recollections, visitors can explore a range of archival materials. The video works and archive documents are complemented by the artist’s reflection on the humane aspect and the tragedy of expecting miracles.

Zoltán Dragon PhD, Henrietta Szira DLA