#aseees

The aim of my presentation was to introduce the brief history of Dunaújváros, the first Socialist model town in Hungary and represent the unique situation of the local International Steel Sculptor Workshop and Sculpture Park with highlights on the political causes. In my research, at first I investigated the cultural policies of the Soviet Union and the Hungarian system between the 1950s and 1990. The local Ironworks and the city administration took major part in shaping the art scene of the town. They made artists to settle down in the newly established, exemplary socialist town, payed them monthly stipend and expected socialist artworks in exchange. A workshop took place on a similar basis inside the ironworks in every two years. The artists received accommodation, stipend and working material in the factory. Although it was a state-funded program, the jury of the biennale could choose such neo-avant-garde artists to participate in the residencies, who were banned by the government – here they had the chance to work freely, however they were monitored. The workshop was organized twelve times between 1974 and 2000 with the participation of fifty-two Hungarian and international artists. The sculpture collection has been exhibited at the Danube-bank since the 1970s, and nowadays it is a unique attraction throughout Europe.

My main question is how it could happen that contemporary artists managed to create and execute steel monuments which did not fit in the official national style with the help of a state-funded internship.