What I've Learned in Budapest: My Experiences
After spending a few years in New York, multimedia artist Márton Nemes returned to Budapest, the capital of his home country. He tells us how this city has shaped him and what makes it so special for him, ranging from its diverse architecture and legendary hospitality to traditional Hungarian cuisine
The Inspiration
Budapest's romantic, eclectic architecture is incomparable to any other place in the world. The mix of Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, and Classicism inspires me in a way that no other city does. At the same time, the city is currently developing into a real lifestyle metropolis of the 21st century. I think it all fits together very well and makes Budapest really exciting.
The Essence
Budapest is a city of contrasts. In Buda, on the western side of the Danube, there is a calm and peaceful atmosphere. I enjoy strolling through the castle district and gazing over the panorama of the city. The city center in Pest, on the other hand, where my studio is located, is a very lively area, which provides lots of inspiration.
The People
The people of Budapest are very honest – and they speak their minds. They love good food and drink, and are open and hospitable. Once you've made friends with a Hungarian, you can be sure you've found a friend for life.
The Flavor
When outside of Hungary, I especially missed the passionate nature of my fellow Hungarians and the strong flavors of Hungarian cuisine. If you want to know what Budapest tastes like, you should definitely try the typical Hungarian dish "vadas" – a game stew with bread dumplings. For a modern twist on traditional Hungarian cuisine, I recommend the Marumba restaurant, especially the Brassó-style pork tenderloin – my absolute favorite. Another fantastic place is Félix Kitchen & Bar. I like to eat piccata there – small veal cutlets breaded and fried in butter and served with mashed potatoes.
For Friends
I see Budapest through the eyes of an artist. So, when friends ask me for tips, I mainly recommend museums and galleries. For example, the Ludwig Museum with its impressive collection of contemporary art. Or the Einspach & Czapolai Fine Art, near the Parliament building, specializing in postwar and contemporary Hungarian fine art. Another very special place is the House of Music Hungary in the City Park, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. Opened in 2022, the House of Music provides a mesmerizing spatial experience and houses an exhibition on music and several concert venues.
About
Originally from Székesfehérvár, Hungary, artist Márton Nemes has spent a large part of his life in Budapest. He also lived in London for five years before moving to New York for two years. Today, he works mainly from Budapest, simultaneously maintaining a studio in New York. He creates large-scale paintings, sculptures, and installations. His sources of inspiration range from the architecture of Budapest to various subcultures from the techno scene. In 2024, Nemes represented Hungary at La Biennale di Venezia with his exhibition "Techno Zen."
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