Superluminal: Budapest's New Exhibition Illuminates the Art of Light

Published: 2023-09-17

Budapest is now home to one of the world's largest museums of light art, the Light Art Museum (LAM). Located in the iconic Hold Street Market building, this museum showcases a selection of captivating light art works from both Hungarian and international artists.

The exhibition, titled "Superluminal," features the works of almost forty artists who explore the concept of light beyond its physics definition. Through light objects, installations, interactive light-space constructions, and more, these artists demonstrate the creative and immersive use of light as an artistic medium. The exhibition includes pieces from renowned Hungarian artists such as László Moholy-Nagy, György Kepes, Victor Vasarely, Nicolas Schöffer, and Vera Molnar, as well as groups like Zünc Studio from London, Nohlab from New York, fuse from Italy, and NONE Collective from Italy.

On January 1, 2020, the Hold Street Market, a historic and iconic building in Budapest, closed its doors. Originally built in 1891, the market hall underwent renovation in 2014 to become the Downtown Market. However, in August 2022, the market hall was transformed into the Light Art Museum, bringing a progressive change to both the building and Hungarian art scene. The conversion of the market's interior spaces into exhibition areas posed a challenge for the founders of LAM, as light art works require total darkness to be fully appreciated. Nevertheless, the original architecture of the market hall was preserved, and the rooms were converted into shops to accommodate the unique exhibition space.

The opening of the Light Art Museum marks the realization of a long-awaited concept within artistic circles. By dedicating a museum specifically to works that explore the creative possibilities of light, such as projection mapping, holographic experiments, and other techno-cultural practices, LAM provides a platform for artists and audiences to engage with this unique form of art. Visitors to the museum can now experience the beauty and innovation of light art within the historical setting of the Hold Street Market.

The Superluminal exhibition at LAM brings together an international selection of light artists, showcasing their diverse approaches to the art of light. Alongside these international artists, the exhibition also highlights the works of Hungarian artists who have made significant contributions to light art. By featuring both local and global talent, LAM reinforces Budapest's position as a hub for contemporary art and fosters cultural exchange and collaboration within the art community.

What is Superluminal? Superluminal is a new exhibition in Budapest that showcases the works of the most exciting representatives of the contemporary art trend of light art. It features light objects, installations, interactive and ever-changing light-space constructions created by both Hungarian and international artists.

Where is the Superluminal exhibition located? The Superluminal exhibition is located in the Light Art Museum (LAM) in Budapest.

Who are some of the Hungarian artists featured in the Superluminal exhibition? Some of the important Hungarian artists whose works are featured in the Superluminal exhibition include László Moholy-Nagy, György Kepes, Victor Vasarely, Nicolas Schöffer, and Vera Molnar.

Which international groups of artists are featured in the Superluminal exhibition? The Superluminal exhibition also features works from internationally renowned groups of artists in the field of immersive projected spaces, such as Zünc Studio from London, Nohlab from New York, fuse\* from Italy, and NONE Collective from Italy.

What is the significance of the Hold Street Market in Budapest? The Hold Street Market is one of Budapest's most iconic buildings. It was built in 1891 and used to be a farmers' market. After its renovation in 2014, it was renamed the Downtown Market.

What happened to the Hold Street Market in January 2020? On January 1, 2020, the Hold Street Market was forced to close its doors.

What is the Light Art Museum (LAM)? The Light Art Museum (LAM) is one of the world's largest museums of light art. It opened in August 2022 in the Hold Street Market building.

Why was it a challenge to use the inner spaces of the market as an exhibition space for light art works? Light art works can only be appreciated in total darkness, so it was a challenge to convert the rooms of the market hall into exhibition spaces while preserving the original architecture.

What are the possible aspects of the creative use of light addressed in the Superluminal exhibition? The Superluminal exhibition addresses various aspects of the creative use of light, including projection mapping, holographic experiments, and other techno-cultural practices.