David Art Gallery is proud to present *Signs and Symbols* (*Jelek és jelképek*), a captivating group exhibition opening on May 28, 2026. Curated by Bela Balog, this exhibition brings together a remarkable group of international and Hungarian artists to explore the profound modes of communication that allow us to connect beyond spoken language, through the universal grammar of signs, symbols, and visual narratives. In a world saturated with digital and analog images—blurring the lines between text and image—everything overlaps and intertwines. This exhibition offers an immersion into this vast ocean of images, extracting fragments and snippets to examine how simple, evocative visuals and gestures can convey complex ideas and profound human experiences. From striking, self-assured portraits capturing everyday life to explorations of identity and the languages of power, the video works presented here invite us to look beyond mere representation. Bringing together works by renowned masters such as Bruce Nauman, Valie Export, Francis Alys, Douglas Gordon, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, and El Kazovszkij, alongside those of a new generation of contemporary artists, including Leo Hainzl, Mohamed Thara, Emese Benczur, Attila Csernik, Bela Balog, Naomi Devil, David Norbert, Szilvia Terdik, Viola Boros, Róbert Dósa, and Attila Stark, Signs and Symbols highlights a rich dialogue between diverse artistic practices.
The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how these visual systems—whether historical, personal, public, or intimate—shape our understanding of reality, memory, and culture. Through video installation, digital art, and experimental film, these artists question, affirm, and push the very boundaries of visual representation that define our era, while reflecting on the legacy of avant-garde video art.
Bruce Nauman
Valie Export
Francis Alys
Douglas Gordon
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Dorothea Lange
Emese Benczúr
Attila Csernik
Bela Balog
El Kazovszkij
Naomi Devil
David Norbert
Szilvia Terdik
Viola Boros
Attila Stark
Leo Hainzl
Mohamed Thara
About David Art Gallery
Located in the heart of Budapest’s gallery district near the Parliament, David Art Gallery has been a cornerstone of the Hungarian contemporary scene since 2013. Under the leadership of artist and director Norbert Dávid, the gallery focuses on high-level artistic innovation, bridging the gap between traditional painting and new digital frontiers.
The exhibition’s professional partner is the Péter Kacsuk Contemporary Collection (Budapest, Hungary).
