Kiss Ilona

When attending the Móricz high school, I loved the literature. Having a wonderful teacher, I was her reader. Everyone thought I became a teacher of Hungarian literature and French, but, surprisingly and for the panic of my parents, I passed the entrance tests of the University of Applied Arts, where I graduated in Book Arts.

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Working as graphic artist, suddenly I created a book of free graphic motifs. This was the book, with which I received my first scholarship abroad, to Spain, later a French government one for two months in Paris. I found new materials, making boldly books of rubber or metal mesh.

Working as graphic artist, suddenly I created a book of free graphic motifs. This was the book, with which I received my first scholarship abroad, to Spain, later a French government one for two months in Paris. I found new materials, making boldly books of rubber or metal mesh.

I paint the paper first, using roller or brush, sometimes with dipping. To print the text and graphics I use various techniques: lithography, silkscreen, linotype, etching, as well as glass staining, airbrush painting, templates, imprints.

Many people are reluctant to reshape a book. As a former scholarship holder, I attend the Frankfurt Book Fair each year. The burned paper, integrated to a composition by some artists, means serious break in the historical wounds in Germany.

However, the coffee booklet, made from used coffee filters, gained devotion. My “Rabbit Teahouse” book, made for an international competition in Vilnius, Lithuania was also a great success. Filters came from my home, cover paper was purchased from abroad, and I wrote the story.

I am often being invited to France. The French poetry is close to me. Perhaps this is why so many collectors expect my rare collectibles. In this genre the language is important, not only for the understanding but transferring as well the culture, the rhythm of life, and the soul.

The Hungarian language is a rare-spoken one, so our writers are known by few. It is really risky to create an object of our great writers. I was so happy when portraits of Esterházy or Márai were recognized at exhibitions abroad.

My book objects contain bookbinding materials, but sometimes a wire mesh used in the deckles, a metal stencil-plate, wood, or paper pulp are applied. It is important that the results such as the “Face-Book” give a truly artistic experience and convey the message of a real book.

For the Book Festival of the Buda Castle I made a series: an alphabet book of the Hungarian poets and writers, created of the word “BUDAVÁR”. It is not an easy task to find a famous name to each letter, not the mention how fun is to draw and linocut a due figure!

14/11/2012 Budapest