“Vincent Mundy is an English photo-artist based in Budapest.
In an age of consumerism and obsession with glamour and the superficial, Vincent’s images reveal and reflect his interest in territories and people on the margins of society. Subjects often without a voice, stereotyped and misrepresented.
His pictures are featured in magazines such as Newsweek, Times and Forbes, among many others. His prints have been acquired by corporate organisations and numerous private collectors. His pictures have featured in exhibitions worldwide, including galleries in London, New York and Paris.
Photo features can make large corporations appear to be socially aware, by giving them the right to define many aspects of human “progress” that lie behind their commercial interests. They document and add credence to the corporate vision of progress. The power of Vincent’s images is in a more balanced understanding of the concerns of society; creating a better standard of living, while retaining and strengthening cultural heritage and questioning the existing social architecture. “
/Tim Etherington/
“The pictures are for me a reminder of the responsibility of Art; to encourage a general public awareness of the environment in which we live through the observation of a photographer to give us the opportunity to make a difference. The pictures are about a changing environment in which people and historic buildings are making way for a future; the inheritance of a future generation.”
/Zaid Sethi/
“The regeneration of inner-cities has a profound effect on the prevailing social and architectural environment. In Budapest this is no different. The gentrification of the inner city 8th district is accelerating as the Corvin Promenade project aims to rejuvenate a large slice of the district. The 18th and 19th century buildings have made way for new developments as local government and developers opt for rebuilding, as this is considered more economical than preserving the architectural heritage. Replacing the crumbling period buildings and cobbled streets is the Corvin Promenade project, a new tree-lined avenue, including a large complex of new apartment blocks, offices and shops. The developers website states “The resulting new, independent quarter will be a prestigious part of the city, replacing a somewhat notorious neighbourhood.” (Source: corvinsetany.hu)
The lack of social housing in the scheme meant that the residents, a largely Roma community, living on the poverty line, have had to move out as many were living in social housing provided by the 8th district local government. While the former residents move away from the frontier of the gentrification zone, the new residents in the area can look forward to the widest pedestrian mall in Budapest, cafes, restaurants, galleries and “Exciting urban energy, comfort, and tranquillity will all be present in the new neighbourhood… Similar to the feeling of Paris” (source: corvinsetany.hu)
Redevelopment is an opportunity to preserve social and environmental heritage and provide for posterity. Striking a fair and reasonable balance between commercial imperatives and social responsibility is ultimately the barometer of how successful any regeneration project is.”
/Vincent Mundy/
Artistic co-ordinator: Kiss Rita: 06303560308 www.chinesecharacters.hu
Artist: Vincent Mundy: 06704037797
www.vincentmundy.com - vm@vincentmundy.com
Curator: Tim Etherington: 06702173085
chinesecharacters@gmail.com
Agent Budapest: Eszter Bognar 06704208714
eszter.bognar@gingeragents.hu
Agent London: Michael Regnier +447814791830
michael@panos.co.uk
PHOTOS: opening night
Artist: Vincent Mundy
