We put the same questions to five different people at ARTplacc Festival in Tihany to find out their opinions on the connection between Lake Balaton and art. We talked to an art historian, a gallery manager and an artist, who makes kinetic robot statues. It doesn''t matter if it's because of the connection between the heart-shaped tombstones and Ilona Keserü, of less work or the paintings on the wall of Uncle Pista's bar, but Lake Balaton seems to be an inspiring environment for all of them.

Máté Fillér; new media artist, graphic designer

1. Regarding art, what is the most interesting for you at Lake Balaton?
The tipography of lángos signs and the oil paintings on the wall of Uncle Pista's wine bar near the ship station.
2. What kind of wine would best accompany your piece at this festival?
A rosé fröccs from Bodri Pincészet.
3. What kind of beach food of Balaton would you be?
Lángos with cheese, sour cream and ketchup. And a shot of Unicum.
4. What is the difference between having an exhibition in a city and having one near the shore?
It must have been better to watch my diploma movie near the coast than in a warm exhibition room.
5. Would Tihany be a more interesting location as an island? (Some say, that during the 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs the Hungarian leaders wanted to make an island out of Tihany instead of a peninsula.)
Sure, but I heard there are plans to exchange Tihany for Margit-sziget, so the guys in Budapest could use the echo as well.
+1. Who would you rather see as a piece of contemporary art? Van Gogh as an ice-cream seller or Picasso as a lifeguard?
David Lynch as a ferry's driver.

Szilvi Német; gallery Manager

1. Regarding art, what is the most interesting for you at Lake Balaton?
ARTplacc is the latest good experience in my life, because it feels good when high culture can represent itself beside the many fake and cliché products aimed at tourists. This festival was able to offer a good alternative program for the holidayers by the shore. In case of bad weather or at night everyone could find cultural programs in different art fields. 320fok Festival was exactly like this 2 years ago in Siófok, but I don't know what has happened to the festival since then.
2. What kind of wine would best accompany your piece at this festival?
If I told you sweet, everyone would find out I'm not a wine expert. Let's say Bolyki Meta Téma (thanks Csaba), because one of our artists used many slogans in his pieces, and it's quite difficult to unravel his complex reference system.
3. What kind of beach food of Balaton would you be?
I would pick blindly from the baked fish-lángos-pancake triangle, and the next day I would start a diet right away.
4. What is the difference between having an exhibition in a city and having one near the shore?
The strip floor is definitely unusual for me. Every time a visitor takes a step, the pictures start to shake a little bit. But it's not that bad, when you're watching it from a bean bag chair in the staff lounge. It's also strange, that everyone I know from Budapest show up here. This festival proves your childhood experiences wrong, because you do have to work at Lake Balaton. You only have to keep an eye on the visitors though.
5. Would Tihany be a more interesting location as an island? (Some say, that during the 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs the Hungarian leaders wanted to make an island out of Tihany instead of a peninsula.)
Yeah, exactly like the "Island of Dreams" vision at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics last year. The whole point is "you can live your dreams".
+1. Who would you rather see as a piece of contemporary art? Van Gogh as an ice-cream seller or Picasso as a lifeguard?
Picasso appeared in front of us, when I read your questions (look at the picture below).

János Brückner; Fine artist

1. Regarding art what is the most interesting for you at Lake Balaton?
There are great things here. This lake doesn't give you a feeling of endlessness, but it is very relaxing to be here. Sometimes it feels like this is a timeless place, because so many eras left their mark on this area. For example there is the ghost city in Szentkirályszabadja and other unexplored places, too.
2. What kind of wine would best accompany your piece at this festival?
Something you have never tried before!
3. What kind of beach food of Balaton are you?
I would eat myself if I were a roasted bream.
4. What is the difference between having an exhibition in a city and having one near the shore?
People usually want to relax at Balaton, which is good for the artists. They have more time to spend at the exhibitions, and it's great that the beach is so close. The artists should get out from the white cube even more.
5. Would Tihany be a more interesting location as an island? (Some say, that during the 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs the Hungarian leaders wanted to make an island out of Tihany instead of a peninsula.)
Yes, it would be, but then they would raise the question of connecting it to the mainland.
+1. Who would you rather see as a piece of contemporary art? Van Gogh as an ice-cream seller or Picasso as a lifeguard?
I would be interested in Munkácsy's beach outfit.

Krisztina Kovács; art historian

1. Regarding art what is the most interesting for you at Lake Balaton?
For me it's exciting to see the impact the place has on the artists. István Farkas and Szigliget, the heart-shaped tombstones in Balatonudvari and Ilona Keserü, István Nádler and Feketebács. These are all interesting relationships between a person and a place.
2. What kind of wine would best accompany your piece at this festival?
Káli Kövek Kavics
3. What kind of beach food of Balaton would you be?
Definitely pancakes.
4. What is the difference between having an exhibition in a city and having one near the shore?
The atmosphere and the people's attitude are much less formal here. It was very positive for me that I could get to know the representatives of other galleries and the artists as well. We spent these days together like good friends. Wherever we look, we find disagreement and disunity nowadays. I find it very important to find a way to cooperate with each other and forget about rivalry. This is the only way to create projects together which could raise Hungarian contemporary to international standards and bring it closer to the audience.
5. Would Tihany be a more interesting location as an island? (Some say, that during the 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs the Hungarian leaders wanted to make an island out of Tihany instead of a peninsula.)
Tihany is perfect like this.
+1. Who would you rather see as a piece of contemporary art? Van Gogh as an ice-cream seller or Picasso as a lifeguard?
Cezanne as a grocery salesman.

Ottó Szabó; kinetic sculptor