Budapest Street Art
Mesmerizing murals decorate left over fire-walls from destroyed or dilapidated buildings and the sides of old apartment and office buildings facing empty lots throughout Budapest. While some of these dilapidated buildings were converted into bars, pubs or got some much needed renovation, many houses were also torn down. This left behind empty lots, which were turned into parking spaces or used as trendy outdoor garden-bars like Kȍleves Kert, or even used seasonally as pop-up summer outdoor pubs like Mika Kert. What some saw as destruction and decay, others saw a blank canvas wanting to burst forth with color and life. The street art scene here is spectacular.
During the years of 2014 through 2017, there was an annual Színes Város Festival (Colorful City Festival) who invited local & international street artists to create some of the incredible works of art I’ve posted below, and each is created in just 8 days. It’s extraordinary. Each year had a different theme they could create and play inside of. 2017, the year I arrived here, the theme revolved around gastronomy and wine. That year’s festival “brother city” was Berlin; so not only did Berlin-based artists have the opportunity to beautify Budapest with their murals, one lucky local artist was chosen to paint a mural on a wall in the German capital.
The amazing murals and street art are not limited to just the ones done during the festival…it seems there is art and creativity everywhere throughout this beautiful city. Below is a link to a map with addresses to guide you on your self-walking street art tour OR just keep an eye out while your strolling through the city. Many of these are scattered throughout Pest near and around the 7th District…you will come across them without trying too hard. I started running into them as I wandered around getting to know the city, and then became obsessed to find as many as I could. Even after 3 years, I am still finding ones that are new to me.
https://budapestflow.com/budapest-street-art-map/
To really get a feel of the depth and breadth of these artists and their creations…here are the ones from 2017.
2017 Színes Város Festival:
ATTILA BALOGH – NAGYDIÓFA STREET
Local graffiti artist Attila Balogh worked for eight long days on this 200-square-meter mural in the middle of Budapest’s party quarter, Nagydiófa Street. Reflecting on this year’s topics, gastronomy and wine, Attila decided to depict Dionysus, the god of grapes and wine making, in a truly colorful artwork. In the mural, Dionysus is squeezing out the juice of grapes into a goblet while a leopard, a Dionysian symbol, is resting its head on his arm. Dionysus raises his eyes towards the sky, seeking help from the creator to control the animal that does not know its limits and is likely to succumb to temptation, losing itself in rapture. Perhaps a perfect fit for the party quarter, this mural is a friendly reminder that when it comes to gastronomy and wine, moderation is a keyword.
DAN FERRER – KERTÉSZ STREET 27
This 170-square-meter mural was conceived by Spanish artist Dan Ferrer, who has artworks in major cities such as New York, Rome, Milan and London. “During the creation of an artwork, motivation and a personal connection are truly important. With every artwork I make I would like to send a powerful message that concerns everyone equally. I like working with allegories such as fear, love, time and justice – and the graphic depiction of these.” Borrowing the atmosphere of Alice in Wonderland, this mural depicts a little girl looking much like Alice – but her scarred skin, tired eyes and altogether more mellow mood foretell that her story will be a far cry from any idyllic tale. The message of this mural is that children are full of potential and hope, which need to be nurtured with motivation so they can grow into something big. Having sampled a taste of motivation, this little girl is about to break out from the enclosed environment that oppresses her talents, hopes and dreams.
FAT HEAT, MR.ZERO AND OBIEONE – KERTÉSZ STREET
Combining the culinary theme with a smidgen of science fiction, this massive mural depicts the “Best Drink in Existence” from the contemporary classic by Douglas Adams, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. The Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster is an intergalactic alcoholic beverage invented by ex-President of the Universe Zaphod Beeblebrox, according to whom you should “never drink more than two Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters unless you are a 30-ton mega elephant with bronchial pneumonia”. The figures in the murals invite viewers to a visual gastro adventure, during which three Hungarian artists, Fat Heat,Mr.Zero and ObieOne, attempt to reveal the secret recipe of this concoction. “We’d like to share the recipe with the people of Budapest before the planet is destroyed to make way for the Vogons hyperspace bypass.”
HRVB – KERTÉSZ STREET
Since we are talking about Hungarian cuisine and gastronomy, what else could star in this oversized painting than paprika? Spotlighting the similarities of gastronomy and art, German artist HRVB parallels the processes of making a Magyar meal, pörkölt – always best with a touch of red wine – and a painting of a paprika in this variegated artwork. While on the left, a paprika makes a Hungarian stew fresh and flavorful, on the other side it is the protagonist of a painting created by the same paprika-loving creature. Playing with vibrant colors is a trademark of this German artist.
VIDAM THE WEIRD – KERTÉSZ STREET
Berlin-based artist Vidam The Weird was born in Hungary, hence his name that translate as ‘merry’ in English. This kind of playfulness is also present in his new artwork made for Színes Város Festival. Alternating only a few warm hues, Vidam depicts a friendly scene from a farmers’ market, where two figures with animal faces but human bodies – and a peace-sign tattoo – proffer fresh fruit and vegetables. This draws us into an enchanted world that perhaps aims to send an encouraging message to everyone to live and let live.
+1 by RUBEN SANCHEZ - CSALOGÁNY UTCA 36 (by my house)
Spanish artist Rubén Sánchez also started working on a mural during the festival, but unfortunately could not finish it, so he had to return to Budapest to complete it. Fans of uber colorful will surely appreciate this piece of work nestled in the corner of a carpark on what is quite a quiet street – bold swathes of yellow, purple and turquoise grab your attention. Born in Madrid and influenced by Spanish 16th Century art, Sanchez works these ideas into his painting and sculptures, and this sporadic arrangement of common items is no exception.
