Budapest sights: Contemporary galleries

"In the past 20 years the number of contemporary galleries in the capital has rocketed. Not only do they liven up the city’s cultural image, but they also form an integral part of international art life that, during the communist regime, was completely or at least partially forbidden. Now these galleries have a significant role amongst Budapest attractions.
 It was amidst these conditions that the great Liget Gallery rose virtually island-Budapest like, an independent gallery in which even during the period of dictatorship there was natural democracy. The gallery, “the diplomatic hub for Central-Eastern European progressive artistic trends”, using its contacts that were even more extensive than those enjoyed by the major museums, gave display space to famous artists who otherwise were officially persona non grata or were prohibitively expensive.
Stúdió Gallery is the other defining gallery of contemporary Hungarian fine arts. From the 1980s onwards, the most talented of the younger generation have always received the opportunity to exhibit here. 2B Gallery in Ráday Street and Godot in Madách Street also regularly host exciting, experimental works. Collectors can select from among works by the gallery’s artists in the tiny Godot cellar. Várfok Gallery is located not far from Moszkva Square in Várfok Street; it was one of the first contemporary arts display centres established by a private individual, and it actually also maintains multiple exhibition spaces (Várfok Room, XO Room) in this attractive street. With its strictly contemporary arts profile and valuecentric attitude it attempts to promote the creation and appearance of new works on the contemporary arts market.
The Mikszáth Kálmán Square-based Lumen Gallery presents – in its monthly rotating exhibitions – works by young artists who otherwise would have great difficulty finding opportunities to stage independent shows.
The essence of Boulevard and Brezsnyev Gallery filling several locations in Király Street is to create a meeting point, a “culture bazaar”, where not only can the visitor look and buy (drawings, paintings, photographs, sculpture and jewellery) but also lounge around, listen to music and chat.

Gallery 2B IX., Ráday utca 47 Tel: 215-4899

www.pipacs.hu

Opening Hours: Mon–Fri: 2–6 pm, Sat: 10 am–2 pm

Ateliers Pro Arts/A.P.A!
VIII., Horánszky utca 5 Tel: 486-2378
www.ateliers.hu

Opening Hours: Tue–Fri: 2–7 pm, Sat: 11 am–6 pm

Gallery Boulevard & Brezsnyev
VII., Király u. 39–43–46 Tel: 445-778

www.bbgaleria.hu

Opening Hours:Mon–Fri: 10 am–8 pm

Gallery Godot
VII., Madách Imre út 8 Tel: 322-5272

www.godot.hu

Opening Hours: Tue–Fri: 10 am–6 pm, Sat: 10 am–1 pm

KOGArt House (Kovács Gábor Art Foundation)
VI., Andrássy út 112 Tel: 354-3820

www.kogart.hu

Opening Hours: 10 am–6 pm

Gallery Liget
XIV., Ajtósi D. sor 5
 www.ligetgaleria.c3.hu

Opening Hours: Wed–Mon: 2–6 pm

Gallery Lumen
VIII., Mikszáth Kálmán tér 2

www.photolumen.hu

Opening Hours: Mon–Fri: 8.30 am–7 pm, Sat: 10 am–6 pm

Gallery Stúdió
VII., Rottenbiller utca 35
Tel: 342-5380, (+36 70) 324-4748

www.studio.c3.hu

Opening Hours: Tue–Fri: 4–8 pm, Sat: 12 am–4 pm

Trafó Gallery House of Contemporary Arts – splendid Budapest events!
IX., Liliom utca 41
Tel: 456-2040

www.trafo.hu

Opening Hours: Tue–Sun: 4–8 pm, and 1 hour before and after programmes in the main hall

Gallery Várfok
I., Várfok utca 11, 14 Tel: 213-5155

www.varfok-galeria.hu

Opening Hours: Tue–Sat: 11 am–6 pm"