Birthday messages and memories on the occasion of the 70th birthday of Júlia Klaniczay, co-founder of Artpool

Pál Deréky

Júlia Klaniczay’s work, which spans decades, can’t be praised enough, especially given the social background that defined most of her life, during which Artpool was regarded as a political entity.

This political implication was a big motivating factor for Júlia and her partner, György Galántai, to build up their extensive international network. I became part of this, albeit only with a supplementary role, mainly based on publication exchange, since my main field of research was the historical avant-garde.

At the same time, Júlia didn't just contribute her selfless advice to Né/ma? Tanulmányok a magyar neoavantgárd köréből (Mute? Studies from the Hungarian Neo-avant-garde, 2004), which I edited jointly with András Müllner, but also helped Csilla Bényi, who was working at Artpool at the time, to compile a bibliography of underground/alternative/samizdat literary and fine art periodicals for our volume with support from the Ernő Kállai scholarship for art historians and art critics.

It was nice to sit in the little safe haven in Liszt Ferenc Square and chat with Juli and Gyuri.
I have many fond memories of the old Artpool.

Pál Deréky
(2024)