Bewertung von Praskipark im Detail
Praskipark
Warsaw, Polen93%
In most hotels in Budapest you will see a stand that rotates with small cards advertising attractions, restaurants and bars in the city. Last time I was in Budapest I picked up a small card from one of these stands illustrating a very eccentric but beautiful building. The building in question is the Hungarian House of Photography named Mai Mano House.
Maio Mano was a passionate photographer who loved to paint portraits of children. He eventually became the photographer for the Imperial and Royal Court of Hungary. This unique eight storey building which bears his name was built in 1893/94 as a photo studio and owned by Mai Mano and his family until it was purchased by musical director, Sándor Rozsnya and his wife in 1931.This talented and artistic couple were famous for constructing The Arizona Club in the yard of the building which then became a popular venue for musicians and intellectuals. Nobody really knows what happened to this couple but it is believed that they were murdered by the Nazis. From 1944 the building was used for various activities and was a base for the headquarters of the Hungarian Automobile Association.
In 1995 a gallery was opened dedicated to the photographer, Mai Mano showing many of his photographs and in 1999 the novelist/photographer, Peter Nadas with the support of the Hungarian House of Photography opened up the first and second floors which house exhibitions of classic and contemporary photography.
The building's exterior is eccentric to look at with its red bricks and numerous panes of glass. Ornate terraces and covered verandas jut out at strange angles making the building look top heavy. As you enter the arched door you have to climb an ornate, wrought iron staircase up to the mezzanine and other floors. The ascent is rather dark and reminds me of very old tenement buildings in Edinburgh. There is an eerie silence in the building and throughout my tour of the exhibitions I felt a bit uneasy as though someone was watching over me.
On the mezzanine floor is the Mai Mano Glallery. At the time of my visit this was displaying child portraits in black and white painted by the master himself. Also displays of photographs taken by important Hungarian photographers. The area covered by the mezzanine isn't too large. A wistful lady dressed in black was sat on a stool at the corner of the room. I guess her job was to be on hand to help and advise but I thought her ghostly appearance was rather off-putting and I found I couldn't concentrate.
The Andre Kertesz Hall is on the second floor which was Mai Mano's personal flat when he was alive. This floor houses larger exhibitions over longer periods of time. When I visited in June the exhibition was filled with very colourful images of space and astronomy dedicated to Jenõ Gothard; an astronomical photographer who passed away about a hundred years ago. Many of the pieces of work were stunning in colour, shape and form and some of the best photographs I have come across. Skies of gold and dusky blue with celestial planets floating around. A vivid collection of phenomenal imagery.
Throughout the year the exhibitions change in the Kertesz Hall and I believe it is the policy of the Hungarian House of Photography to house as many touring foreign exhibitions as well as historical Hungarian collections.
The George Eastman Hall is where you will find smaller exhibitions and usually consist of experimental work and work created by lesser known artists. Silent Images was the title of the exhibition I saw in this hall and it was excellent - a collection of photos taken by Finnish journalist, Hannes Heikura. The subject matter was presented in a skilful way where colour harmonised with light and poignancy. Scenes from his homeland sat side by side with disturbing images of third world countries torn apart by war and disease. As I looked at every photograph I could imagine the narrative that would accompany the picture. Astounding work from a young, passionate and intelligent artist.
If you have time walk up to the third floor to have a glimpse and perhaps a sit down in the József Pécsi Library of Photography. You can only look at the books. Books cannot be taken out on loan. Originally the library was opened to supply articles for people who were interested in photography. The collections are kept for historical value only and amongst the many books, pamphlets and magazines are foreign photo albums, technological and historical books regarding photography, bibliographies and encyclopdiae. This is a nice cosy room - reminds me of an old fashioned private bookshop - the sort that has too many books for its shelves where books end up in piles on the floor. The library is free to use and if I lived in Budapest I would visit often as I found the atmosphere calm and some of the art books are unusual and nothing like I have seen elsewhere. There are also Internet facilities in the computer room where you are able to look at digital photographs.
The small card I took from the hotel enabled me to a free postcard from the bookshop in the small gallery on the mezzanine floor. Original photographs are on sale as well as photography publications and catalogues. The shop is small and packed out with interesting things to buy.
To reach this interesting and idiosyncratic museum on Nagymezo utca 20 you can need to take bus 4, or a tram 4/6, Trolley bus 70/78 or Metro LI.
We paid 1000 Hungarian Florints as the entrance feer which is the equivalent of £2.65. Seniors and students only have to pay 500 HF (£1.32).
There are various discounts for groups of people if belonging to the Circle of Friends - that is the Hungarian House of Photography Circle of Friends.
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 2pm - 7pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 11am - 7pm
Magyar Fotográfusok Háza - Mai Manó Ház8
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