Balázs Beöthy became well-known as a member of the artist group Hejettes Szomjazók (Substitute Thirsters, active between 1984 and 1992). At the time, his works mostly appeared in the so-called “Second Public Sphere” and represented a critical attitude toward art institutions and entrenched artistic forms. Instead of bringing up directly political topics, Beöthy and the group expressed their criticism of the regime through providing an alternative to official culture and officially accepted ideas about art. His post-1990 works are characterized by a social agenda and the prominent presence of formal and aesthetic features, which he utilizes in non-traditional ways. Beöthy uses mundane objects and visuals in his works, which often makes them appear self-evident. The viewer’s active interpretative contribution is needed to help their meanings come to the surface.
