In the heart of Budapest stands the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center (Robert Capa Kortárs Fotográfiai Központ), a beacon for the artistic exploration of time’s fleeting essence. This institution honors the indelible legacy of Robert Capa, whose lens immortalized the tumult and triumphs of the 20th century.
Visitors are invited to traverse the gallery spaces where a permanent collection of Capa’s groundbreaking work resides alongside rotating exhibitions from a diverse array of contemporary photographers. The center serves as a dynamic platform that fosters dialogue and discovery, inspiring freedom of thought through the power of visual storytelling.
It is a sanctuary for those who seek to understand the world and themselves through the nuanced perspectives captured in photographic form.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Capa revolutionized photojournalism with his ability to capture the immediacy and impact of war.
- The Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center preserves Capa’s ethos of liberty through the exhibition of his most poignant works.
- The center offers three expansive exhibition halls showcasing Capa’s legacy and contemporary photography.
- The center engages the public through various channels, promoting fresh talent, providing updates on exhibitions and events, and raising awareness about the importance of contemporary photography.
Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center (Robert Capa Kortárs Fotográfiai Központ)
Rating: 4.6 (Google Reviews)
Category: Museum
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Website: Visit Website
Directions: Get Directions
Call: +36 1 413 1310
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Established on July 12, 2013, the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center is a modern visual institution located in Budapest, dedicated to promoting world-renowned Hungarian photography and recognizing photography as an independent art form in Hungary. Named after the legendary Hungarian photojournalist Robert Capa, the center aims to elevate and celebrate the art of photography through exhibitions, workshops, and various educational programs.
Address: 8 Nagymező Street, Budapest 1065, Hungary
Founded: 2013
The Visionary: Robert Capa
Robert Capa revolutionized photojournalism with his ability to capture the immediacy and impact of war through the lens of his camera. His nomadic journey across cities like Budapest, Vienna, and Berlin, culminated in a unique visual chronicle of the 20th century’s most pivotal conflicts.
Photographer Robert Capa’s daring proximity to the frontlines allowed him to frame the raw essence of human struggle, etching powerful narratives into collective memory.
The Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center stands as a beacon of his enduring legacy, preserving his ethos of liberty through its exhibition of his most poignant works. Here, Capa’s visual odyssey is displayed in a triad of series, inviting viewers to witness the historic moments that he so intimately documented.
Inside the Exhibition Halls
Opening Insights
In 2013, the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center was inaugurated partly to showcase the Robert Capa collection acquired by the Hungarian state in 2008. This prestigious collection, meticulously selected by Capa’s brother, Cornell Capa, and his monographer, Richard Whelan, spans the entire career of the legendary photographer. Budapest now stands alongside New York and Tokyo as a primary guardian of Capa’s legacy, boasting one of the three complete series of this collection.
The Master Collection
The exhibition space, dedicated to presenting the 937-piece Master Collection, began its transformation in 2017. With the Hungarian government contributing a total of 813 million HUF in 2017 and 2021, this renovation and exhibition creation mark a significant investment in preserving and showcasing Capa’s work.
A Permanent Exhibition Unfolds
The permanent exhibition, “Robert Capa, the Correspondent,” offers an unparalleled view into the world-renowned photographer’s career at the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center. The exhibition is housed in a historic Art Nouveau cinema space, once home to the Tinódi Cinema and later the Budapest Chamber Theatre, which underwent extensive renovations to become a fitting venue for Capa’s photographs.
What to Expect
Visitors can explore 137 photographs by Robert Capa (with periodic changes due to conservation reasons) and an additional 400 images projected within the exhibition space. The two-level exhibition, curated by Gabriella Csizek, is enhanced by informational spaces that delve into Capa’s life journey, personality, and the era’s photography through interactive displays, film recordings, radio interviews, projected images, and documents.
Chronological Journey
The exhibition presents Capa’s photographs in chronological order, exploring themes central to his body of work. This journey is not only a walk through time and space but also an intimate exploration of Capa’s artistic and personal evolution, from his beginnings in Budapest in the early 1920s to his global travels and untimely tragic end.
Iconic Moments Captured
From the early works to the iconic images of the Spanish Civil War, including “The Falling Soldier,” to the battlefields of the Japanese-Chinese War and World War II, including the Normandy landings, Capa’s lens captured pivotal moments in history. The exhibition also sheds light on life in newly liberated territories, post-war Budapest, the birth of Israel, and the descending Iron Curtain in the Soviet Union, alongside portraits of key figures in the art world of his time.
Final Reflections
The exhibition, spanning approximately 500 square meters, not only honors the 110th anniversary of Robert Capa’s birth but also celebrates the depth and diversity of his work, revealing the destruction and rebuilding of the 20th century, as well as the “sunny side” of life through his eyes. Visitors are invited to witness the final chapters of Capa’s career in war-torn Indochina, where he sacrificed his life for his last photo reportage, encapsulating the essence of his legacy.
“Energy: Redistribution and Moderation” Exhibition
The Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center hosts “Energy: Redistribution and Moderation” from October 15 to November 26, 2023. This group exhibition explores the complex issue of energy, touching on its societal and personal impacts.
Highlights of the Exhibition
The exhibition is a public segment of the European Futures platform’s annual series. It features a blend of programs and works by young photographers, artists, and curators from across Europe, along with international figures like Zack Denfeld and Esther Horvath.
Artists and Works
Over 80 pieces by eight photographers including Biró Dávid and Antonio Guerra are displayed, offering insights into energy’s role in various contexts, from war to ecological solutions and social healing.
Networking and Engagement
In collaboration with Art Market Budapest, the event underscores networking’s role in art. Activities range from professional meetups led by the Hétpróbás Társulat to social gatherings, aiming to foster community and dialogue in contemporary photography and visual arts.
The exhibition, curated by Emese Mucsi of the Capa Center, aims to provoke thought and conversation on energy’s omnipresence and our interaction with it, showcasing the diverse approaches and narratives of emerging photographers.
The Ernst House: The Center’s Architectural Marvel
The Ernst House, conceived by the prominent patron and art collector Lajos Ernst (1872–1937) in 1909, stands at Nagymező Street 8, Budapest. Originally a site for a two-courtyard building that suffered multiple fires, Ernst transformed it into a grand apartment building with a museum for his collection and temporary exhibitions on the first floor, alongside residential apartments and two artist studios above.
Designed by Gyula Fodor with inspiration from Ödön Lechner, the building features a blend of Secessionist and Renaissance styles. The museum’s interiors were a collective effort by Ernst’s artist friends, including graphic artist Elek Falus and glass artist Miksa Róth, based on designs by József Rippl-Rónai.
During WWI, the museum temporarily served as a military hospital, with arrangements made for wards, a bath, and an operating room. Post-war, the ground floor hosted the Tivoli Cinema, later known as the Tinódi Cinema, which was a hub for the Jewish community during restricted times in WWII.
The museum showcased Ernst’s vast collection, focusing on Hungarian historical and contemporary art. Despite financial struggles leading to Ernst’s tragic end in 1937, his collection largely remained within Hungary, enriching various institutions. The building has undergone numerous changes, eventually becoming the home of the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center in 2013, continuing its legacy as an art exhibition space.
Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center Ticket Prices
Starting June 13, 2023, the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center introduces updated ticket prices for its exhibitions. Here’s a summary of the key details:
- General Admission: HUF 4,000
- Family Ticket (2 adults and children under 18): HUF 8,000
- Student Ticket (6-26 years old with a Hungarian or EU student ID): HUF 2,500
- Senior Ticket (over 70 years old): HUF 2,500
- Combined Ticket (access to all exhibitions): HUF 6,000
- Contemporary Exhibition Ticket (excluding André Kertész exhibits): HUF 2,500
- Free Admission: The Capa 8F Gallery in Capa Café is open to visitors at no charge.
Discounts and Offers
- Members of certain professional organizations, including the Hungarian Association of Journalists and Hungarian Photographers Association, enjoy free access.
- Holders of the ‘Press’ ID can enter free after registering at the ticket office.
- Guided Tours: Custom tours in Hungarian or English are available for HUF 20,000, excluding the price of admission. Requests must be made via email.
- Payment Methods: The center accepts bank cards, K&H, MKB, and OTP SZÉP Cards. Cash payments are in Hungarian Forints, and foreign currencies are not accepted.
Additional Information
- The center is a Budapest Card partner, offering free access to one exhibition for cardholders, with a 50% discount on additional exhibitions.
- Photography and video recording of the permanent exhibits (Robert Capa, André Kertész) are prohibited.
- Visitors may be photographed or recorded during exhibitions and events for promotional use by the center.
- Group tours require the purchase of full-price tickets. Advance booking is needed via email.
Opening Hours
Capa Center
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Friday: 1 PM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
8F Gallery
- Open daily: 9 AM – 7 PM
Please note, the ticket office closes 30 minutes before the closing time. Entry to the 8F Gallery is free of charge.
Opening hours may change due to technical reasons or holidays. For the latest updates, please check their homepage.
Contact Information
Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center Address: 1065 Budapest, Nagymező Street 8.
Phone: (+36) 1 413 1310, +36 30 736 0729
Central Email: info@capacenter.hu
Accessibility: The Capa Center can be reached via:
- The Millennium Underground (Yellow Metro Line) to Opera Station
- Trams 4-6 to Oktogon Station
- Trolleybuses 70 and 78 to Andrássy út (Opera) Station
- Bus 105 to Opera Station
For those driving, access is available from Király Street or Andrássy Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs for Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center
What is the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center?
The Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center, located in Budapest, Hungary, is a modern visual institution dedicated to the promotion of photography as an independent art form. Named after the legendary Hungarian photojournalist Robert Capa, the center aims to elevate and celebrate the art of photography through exhibitions, workshops, and various educational programs.
Who was Robert Capa?
Robert Capa was a Hungarian photojournalist and war photographer, renowned for capturing the immediacy and impact of war through the lens of his camera. His work provided a unique visual chronicle of the 20th century’s most pivotal conflicts, earning him a place as one of the most iconic photographers in history.
What can visitors expect at the center?
Visitors can explore three expansive exhibition halls showcasing a permanent collection of Capa’s groundbreaking work alongside rotating exhibitions from contemporary photographers. The center serves as a dynamic platform for dialogue and discovery, inspiring freedom of thought through the power of visual storytelling.
What are the ticket prices for the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center?
As of June 13, 2023, ticket prices are as follows:
- General Admission: HUF 4,000
- Family Ticket: HUF 8,000
- Student Ticket: HUF 2,500
- Senior Ticket: HUF 2,500
- Combined Ticket: HUF 6,000
- Contemporary Exhibition Ticket: HUF 2,500
Are there any discounts or free admission options?
Yes, members of certain professional organizations enjoy free access. Holders of the ‘Press’ ID can enter free after registering at the ticket office. The Capa 8F Gallery in Capa Café is open to visitors at no charge.
What are the opening hours of the center?
- Tuesday to Friday: 1 PM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Closed on Mondays
How can visitors contact the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center?
Visitors can contact the center at the following:
- Address: 1065 Budapest, Nagymező Street 8, Hungary
- Phone: +36 1 413 1310
- Email: info@capacenter.hu
What Type of Photography Was Robert Capa Known For?
Robert Capa gained acclaim as a photojournalist and war photographer. He is best known for documenting major conflicts of the 20th century with a poignant and humanizing perspective on warfare.
What Kind of Cameras Did Robert Capa Use?
Robert Capa utilized versatile, valuable cameras like the 35mm Contax and the compact Leica, empowering him to etch enduring images of epochal events with precision and profound artistic expression. He preferred the 50mm focal length and shot with the Zeiss 50 sonnar 1.5 for much of his career.
What Is a Contemporary Art in Photography?
Contemporary art in photography presents modern subjects and narratives through advanced techniques and digital media, challenging traditional boundaries and offering a dynamic platform for artistic expression and societal reflection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center stands as a beacon of cultural illumination, casting a light on the ephemeral yet profound moments captured through the lens.
It not only honors the legacy of Capa himself but also sustains the vibrant heartbeat of modern photography.
Visitors depart with enriched perspectives, their minds a canvas painted with the diverse stories and emotions conveyed by the world’s photographic storytellers.
Featured Image Source: Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center
