Culture as an area of political manipulation during the Cold War acquired a special significance. Cultural workers - in particular representatives of pop music - became instruments of ideological propaganda. Their songs were broadcast on radios, promising people ‘a better life’. In 1969 Larisa Mondrus, Soviet soprano singer, refused to implement ideologically sustained civil subjects imposed by the Ministry of Culture. In 1973 she was forced to move to Germany.

The clutch of the ruling political party was also apparent in the field of literature. Doctor Zhivago, written by Boris Pasternak, was published with the financial support of the CIA as a part of the propaganda war. The novel earned him the Nobel Prize for Literature, for which he was persecuted and harassed by the Soviet government.

The most famous Hungarian spy, Istvan Belovai admitted that during his work at the KGB, some artists of the Hungarian pop industry actively cooperated with both the CIA and the KGB. Cultural figures often found themselves facing a difficult choice: with whom to collaborate? a decision having direct effect on their future careers and security.

The key question of Vladimir Potapov’s exhibition is: who of the presented artists worked with the CIA and who with the KGB? The show presents 10 works that take the visual layout and decoration of Hungarian pop vinyl records as a base. Potapov scratches off layers of paint to reveal the once iconic Hungarian singers and bands from the palimpsest. As he puts it: ‘When you scratch the paint, it’s like a trip back in time – it leads you to the actualization of the deep layers of paint which are integrated into the main surface. For me, this process of immersion is in our shared memory.‘

Vladimir Potapov (b. 1980, Volgograd, Russia) finished his studies in the Institute of Contemporary Art in Moscow (RU) and the Art Studio Machov B.I. Volzhsky (RU). Working in the medium of painting, he continuously experiments with its opportunities in relation to other media and art forms.

As curator Potapov explores the state of painting in the context of Russian contemporary art - the exhibitions From the Contrary and Checkpoint are examples of such investigations. He won numerous awards for his artistic and curatorial work alike; he has exhibited extensively across Russia. His pieces were shown in Asia, USA and Europe as well. His art is represented by the Moscow based Triumph Gallery. He lives and works in Moscow.

Opening reception: Thursday, July 7, 2016 6-9. pm
On view until July 27, 2016 (visitors are welcome by appointment)

Venue: Budapest Art Factory , Project Space
Address: 1138 Budapest, Váci út 152-156.
by car: H-1138 Budapest, Vizafogó utca 2.
+36 20 570 7724

More: www.budapestartfactory.com