Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design

The history of the Moholy-Nagy Award

The award trophy

Award winners

In the spirit of modernism, László Moholy-Nagy advocated the role of art in shaping society and its interconnection with technological innovation. His fascination with industrial materials, his radical innovations in the field of movement and light techniques are as important a part of his oeuvre as his unique methodological approach to blurring the line between and linking different fields of work.

His passion for experimentation, openness to technical innovation, work to unite theory and practice, and humanism above all else still inspire us today. By bearing his name, the university expresses its identification with Moholy-Nagy’s educational and artistic principles, as well as its aim to preserve his legacy at both national and international level. This commitment gave rise to the establishment of the Moholy-Nagy Award.

A Moholy-Nagy-díjjal a MOME olyan személyiségeket kíván elismerni, akiknek emberi és alkotói léte szorosan kapcsolódik az egyetemhez vagy az egyetem által képviselt értékekhez.

Since its foundation 141 years ago, our university is synonymous with its signature open-minded approach built on the fusion of tradition and innovation. In 2006, we adopted the name of world-famous Hungarian-born photographer, product designer and teacher László Moholy-Nagy. At the same time, we decided to establish the Moholy-Nagy Award to recognise the oeuvre of persons whose humanistic and creative essence is closely linked to the university or the values it stands for.

The history of the Moholy-Nagy Award

We are ambassadors of Moholy-Nagy’s values and philosophy. As one of the most influential teachers of Bauhaus, he formulated thoughts and ideas that are still relevant today. We want to share his vision and worldview not only with our students, but also with the Hungarian and international artistic and scientific community, and set his ethos as a model for future generations.

Az aktuális díjazott személyéről minden évben a Rektor elnökségével ad hoc kinevezett kuratórium dönt.

The award trophy

Every autumn we present the emblematic Moholy-Nagy Award, whose trophy was redesigned in 2021 to mark our 15th anniversary. The new award has been designed by Noémi Ferenczy Award-winning jeweller and teacher of MOME’s Design Institute Krisztián Ádám. In harmony with the growth and development of the university, it is intended to serve both as a material manifestation of Moholy-Nagy’s philosophy and a representation of the constant change we are experiencing.

The previous award, which was presented 14 times between 2006 and 2019, was designed by metalwork designer and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Object Design at the MOME Design Institute Vladimir Péter to emphasise the importance of creativity, and intellectual and artistic innovation.

Award winners

In 2006, our University took the name of the world-famous Hungarian-born photographer and artist László Moholy-Nagy as a model for future generations to follow, to promote his spirit and open-minded outlook on the world. In 2006, the MOME community decided that the university’s three-member Board of Trustees would annually award the Moholy-Nagy Award to a person whose human and creative existence is closely linked to the university or the values it represents.