István Orosz

István Orosz

ISTVÁN OROSZ (Kecskemét, 1951), is one of the most versatile Hungarian graphic artists, and in 2011 he was awarded the Kossuth Prize, Hungary’s highest distinction for the arts. His graphic works are often related to postmodernism by archaic forms, art historical references, stylistic quotations, and playful self-reflection. He has created many famous posters; he makes animation films, and is preoccupied with the art and science of optical illusions and anamorphic design. He is also concerned with the ambiguities of spatial constructions. These interests led him to write his recent book on Hans Holbein’s famous The Ambassadors and the Pharaoh, which exhibits a mastery of prose style and psychology, and also includes his own consummate poems.

The Book in the Mirror OR THE CASE OF THE EATEN SAILORS

Apparent coincidences form vital wholes gaping in the net ofphysical causality, through which deus ex machina manifestshis volition; they are tears in the fabric of reality through whichDestiny and Fate seep through. Arthur Koestler Who is this? It is a man in a suit with wavy hair, standing in front

DA VINCI AND THE MIGRANTS

If you had to name the icons or paragons who embody the idea of European culture for you, how many names would you come up with before remembering Leonardo da Vinci? Most people would certainly include him in their top ten, possibly five, and some would quite likely think of

A RHINO REMEMBERED – ON THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF A SHIPWRECK

Is there anyone who has not heard of the terrible tempest on the Ligurian Sea which claimed the life of Percy Bysshe Shelley? In almost precisely the same place, near the mouth of Spezia Bay off the coast of Porto Venere, another storm had wrecked a vessel three centuries before

LEONARDO’S SECRET PERSPECTIVE

Compiled from Leonardo’s manuscript pages, the Codex Atlanticus contains two strange sketches, two oddly elongated figures. They are both sepia drawings. They are also baffling to the eye at first glance, but if you look at them from a flat oblique angle from the right rather than from straight on

THE AMBASSADOR AND THE PHARAOH

Excrept from a Book – Text and drawings from István Orosz Whether into hell or heaven, as ambassador now enter – as a hasty harbinger, whose only mission is to bow, forgetting all the massacre. And, as he did, just act in stead of him who sent you as your