Experimenting and taking risks
Barnabás Bencsik, new director of the Ludwig Museum
MúzeumCafé 4.
Art historian Barnabás Bencsik (b 1964) left a managerial post at ACAX (Agency for Contemporary Art Exchange) when he was appointed director of the Ludwig Museum at the Palace of Arts on 1 March 2008. He succeeds Katalin Néray who directed the museum from 1992. His position is for five years. Bencsik willingly takes risks and treads on untrodden paths. In 1991 he organised the Gallery by Night series as part of the Budapest Spring Festival, whereby for ten days the Studio Gallery provided an exhibition opportunity for young artists for a night. Since 1999 he has worked in several noted institutions (Trafó – Centre of Contemporary Arts, Kunsthalle, MEO – Contemporary Art Collection and MODEM in Debrecen). As project manager he participated in exhibiting the Body of Nefertiti by Little Warsaw (artists András Gálik– Bálint Havas) at the 50th Venice Biennale, which attracted much attention in Hungary and abroad. The new director faces rather difficult tasks, including clarifying the status of the collection, the relationship between permanent and temporary exhibitions, the details of cooperation with the Palace of Arts, the functionality of the building, the need to review dysfunctional elements, the anomalies of the present running of the institution, the elaboration and renewal of Katalin Néray’s heritage, the uncertainty of state support for increasing the permanent collection and creating a more visitor-friendly and more European image of the museum. Bencsik’s new role is controversial among Hungarian art historians and within cultural policy, but his activity certainly reflects a personality which is consistent, determined and experienced.