W Budapest, a hotel in the heart of the city and renowned for its cultural collaborations, is currently hosting an exhibition by internationally recognised artist and designer kissmiklos as part of their Design Exchange programme. The second edition of this innovative programme incorporates a full hotel takeover, transforming the entire property into a playground of ironic commentary, glamorous ornamentation, and critical design. Just Decoration is on display until 26th July 2025, and explores and pushes the boundaries between “lobby art”, fine art, and interior decoration.
Through a playful and ironic tone, Just Decoration questions what counts as art and what remains merely decorative. The exhibition is both contemplative and self-deprecating, testing the viewer’s own perception of art when it leaves traditional exhibition spaces to be displayed in the lobby of a hotel. Within the show items are given new layers of meaning; from a clothes label to a plush toy figurine, these objects become a tool for sophisticated social critique. Just Decoration cleverly subverts elitist notions and redefines notions of beauty and utility. Reimagining found objects, kissmiklos transforms the “readymade”. For example; a paper shopping bag, a common, ubiquitous element of consumer culture, is remade into a sculpture; and a recycled cardboard box, normally associated with function, is converted into a meaningful exhibit, linking art to consumer culture and forcing the viewer to re-evaluate it’s worth.
Presenting both the contrasts and entanglements between mass production and art, the exhibition exudes tension, manifesting in a light-hearted irony. The exhibition’s location also contributes to this concept. As a vibrant cultural setting, where historical grandeur is combined with contemporary design, the space deepens the meaning of the artist’s thought-provoking concept. W Budapest is now a bohemian centre of vibrant culture and social life in the heart of Budapest, with its design and architecture blending past and present, cultural icons, and modern artistic expressions.
The exhibition was hosted as part of W Budapest’s Design Exchange series. The project was first launched last year, and aims to bring together the fields of interior design, art, photography, and artefacts. Their exhibitions showcase carefully selected works by international and local artists, while their social events engage in exciting dialogue with prominent figures in the creative profession. Now in its second edition, the Design Exchange invites visitors to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of contemporary art and design through its unpretentious creations. Patrick Luk, Marketing Director of W Budapest says; “Design Exchange is one of our favourite initiatives, giving us the opportunity to work with exciting, emerging and inspiring artists to collectively infuse the hotel’s characterful spaces with art. We believe that art and design bridge the gap between people – with each collaboration we continue to push the boundaries between hospitality and contemporary culture. This year’s project with kissmiklos reflects this commitment: our aim is to make W Budapest not just a hotel, but a true creative and cultural hub in the city.”
W Budapest, renowned for its dynamic atmosphere as well as its support for artistic expression, is a perfect match for kissmiklos’ work.
Just Decoration exhibition is on view at W Budapest until 26th July.
(photos by Eszter Sara)
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