BUDAPEST.- Műcsarnok / Kunsthalle Budapest presents Kempelen – Man in the Machine, Media Art and History Exhibition,on view through May 28, 2007. The legend of the chess-player automaton of Wolfgang von Kempelen (or Farkas Kempelen, 1734-1804) and its secret have intrigued artists, scientists and laymen for over two centuries. During this time, the figure of this versatile inventor and courtier became one with the notion of the player hidden in the machine, while the spectacular hoax – also, a masterpiece of mechanics – eclipsed the fame of his other inventions, above all that of the speaking machine.

The exhibition of Műcsarnok is centred around these two outstanding inventions of this polyhistor, the chess automaton, which contemporaries alternately revered and considered the work of the devil, and the talking machine. The mysterious inventor also appears at our display as a scientist, engineer, artist, showman, official and private individual, while we gain a view of the Hapsburg Empire at the time, will be introduced to the cultural history of Hungary and Central Europe, and learn a few things about the science of the age, the Freemasons, and the cult of Turks and puppets in the century.

Kempelen’s odd and witty devices would go on to inspire many a great figure of technology and thought, and his innovative ideas keep on exerting their influence to this day. The exhibition also features works of contemporary media art, some made specifically for the occasion, which follow up the ideas that are manifest in Kempelen’s inventions, exploring the relationship of Enlightenment ideas and the issues of our time.

In the spirit of Kempelen’s own creations and playful mind, the display will not cordon off the exhibits with glass walls. With works that are interactive, touchable or mobile, we encourage active participation, and hope to involve you, a curious, reflective being keen an on experimentation, in the wonderful world of the artworks and devices.