Budapest's nightlife in the first decades of the 20th century was mysterious, colourful and filled with scandals and rumours. The works of one of Hungary's best-known poster designers, Géza Faragó, evoke this exciting time, its characters and locales. Combining the exhibition with a light walk in the spring sunshine, visitors can take a look at the posters free of charge on the southern panorama terrace of the Castle Garden Bazaar, according to an announcement from Várkapitányság.

The statement continues, saying that posters are an art form for the streets and honestly tell stories about their time. It was this thought that led curators of the exhibition in selecting the posters. The works of Faragó Géza are on display from the Map, Poster and small print collection of the National Széchényi Library.

The works of the poster artist Géza Faragó can be seen on the southern panorama terrace of the Castle Garden Bazaar (Photo: Várkapitányság)

“Works typical of the era, artistic posters displayed on advertising columns, act as a special history book, and provide insight into one of the most exciting periods of our past. Although the Castle Garden Bazaar cannot host its usual events due to the current restrictions, we encourage all those interested to visit us during a light spring walk and see the diverse works of the poster designer Géza Faragó, while adhering to all social distancing regulation” said Krisztin Sikota, Deputy CEO for Tourism and Culture at Várkapitányság Nonprofit Zrt.

The installation evokes the advertising columns and billboards of the first third of the 20th century (Photo: Várkapitányság)

Géza Faragó studied in Paris with the famous poster designer and craftsman Alfons Mucha, where he learned the artistic tricks of poster making. After returning to Budapest, which was already a cosmopolitan city, his first theatrical and commercial posters, press drawings and caricatures appeared in 1903. These later featured at exhibitions in the Kunsthalle, the National Salon and the Ernst Museum.

Faragó was a well-known figure of the Budapest nightlife. While the famous nightclubs, theatres, and cafés are no longer open today, the posters offer a taste of the contemporary atmosphere.

Posters for the Budapest Orpheum, the Holzer Budapest Clothing Shop and the Törley Champagne Factory are on display (Photo: Várkapitányság)

The outdoor installation features 25 posters including, but not limited to, those for the Budapest Orpheum, the Holzer Budapest Clothing Shop, the Törley Champagne Factory, the newly-opened Corvin Department Store, and the Budapest Operetta Theater.

The exhibition will be on display until 30 June.

Cover photo: Outdoor poster installation opens on the terrace of the Castle Garden Bazaar (Photo: Várkapitányság)

 | Abridged in translation