Learning about Hungarian art
The cultural mission of Zsófi Faur’s gallery
MúzeumCafé 24.
MúzeumCafé talked about the issue with Zsófi Faur who has embarked on the noble task of trying to make art available for all; therefore her gallery is open for all. Ms Faur believes that through the spread of visual culture positive changes may begin in time regarding people’s attitudes to life – thus they may no longer seek relaxation in a shopping centre but visit an exhibition. A tender calling for the cultural use of retail premises on Bartók Béla Road represented a declaration of war on the increasingly ubiquitous shopping centres. Last September the Ráday Gallery, which was one of the successful applicants, moved to the centre of Újbuda, the 11th district of Budapest. “We started in what was the somewhat quiet Ráday Street in 1997; ours was the first gallery there. Then over the years an increasing number of galleries opened in the street and the neighbourhood started to develop quickly. However, later we, like the other galleries, outgrew the space. Contemporary works are generally large and the exhibiting space of 75 square metres restricted our potential. That was why I was looking around and engaging in negotiations with various districts of Budapest for years. Then came this great opportunity for us to participate in the cultural centre of the Újbuda project. We applied and were successful due to our professional experience. Our new place is nearly 300 square metres; nevertheless, sometimes fewer works are exhibited as compared to the gallery in Ráday Street. However, works which could not have been displayed earlier due to their size can now be presented on the walls. The shop window is another advantage of the gallery in Bartók Béla Road. It draws in visitors. The large windows allow people to see what is exhibited from the street. Many have congratulated me by phone.”