Pécs, the ‘cultural capital’ of southern Hungary, is celebrating its most famous son. On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Victor Vasarely’s birth, the museum dedicated to him shines in new splendor after a comprehensive renovation. The reopening is the highlight of a commemorative year that builds a bridge between Hungarian tradition and Western modernism.
Although Victor Vasarely (born Győző Vásárhelyi) left his hometown at the age of five, his connection to Pécs never ceased. As Katalin Getto, curator of the new permanent exhibition, emphasized at the opening ceremony last Wednesday, the city remained an emotional anchor for the “father of Op Art” throughout his life. This was reflected in his exceptional generosity. From the 1960s onwards, Vasarely continuously donated works to his hometown.
What began in 1976 as the first permanent collection of geometric abstract art in Hungary, has grown into a collection of around 400 works today.
Under the direction of the Janus Pannonius Museum (JPM), not only was the building fabric modernized, but the curatorial concept was also completely rethought. Gábor Bertók, director of the JPM, emphasized that the exhibition now traces the artist’s entire career—from early figurative drawings to the large-scale kinetic compositions of his late period.
Photo: Janus Pannonius Museum
The redesign brings to light treasures that had long been hidden from the public. Works that had been stored in the archive for over 50 years are being shown for the first time, including the monumental screen prints of the famous “VI-VA Album.” These nearly square-meter-sized works have been restored and are now, for the first time since their creation, on display in their full splendor on the museum walls.
A key aspect of the new concept is also the embedding of Vasarely’s work in an international dialogue. In line with the artist’s intentions, his works are now shown in direct context with those of his contemporaries and predecessors. Geometric abstraction of the 20th century is thus not viewed in isolation, but made tangible as a global phenomenon that formed a new visual language across national borders.
To make the art more accessible to younger generations and families, the museum is increasingly focusing on interactivity. On the ground floor, a museum educational space titled “S.P.A.C.E.” (See, Practice, Act, Create, Experience) has been created. Here, visitors can become active themselves and playfully immerse in Vasarely’s optical and kinetic universe, turning the museum visit into a participatory experience.
Photo: MTI/Ruprech Judit
Photo: Janus Pannonius Museum
For the mayor of Pécs, the museum is far more than an art gallery.
Founded in 1976 during the Cold War, it was a bold sign of openness towards the West.
“Vasarely’s art seeks dialogue with the viewer—it is the art of the future,” said Attila Péterffy. Even today, his visual language continues to shape the city’s appearance and inspires the local art scene.
For the ceremonial opening, Pierre Vasarely, the artist’s grandson and president of the Fondation Vasarely in Aix-en-Provence, also travelled to Pécs. He praised the close cultural partnership between France and Hungary and expressed confidence that his grandfather’s legacy will remain a magnet for art lovers from around the world in Pécs for decades to come.
The reopening of the museum is embedded in a wide-ranging anniversary program. In addition to the naming of a new “Victor Vasarely Square” in the city and photography exhibitions in cooperation with French partners, national institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest are also supporting the project with valuable loans. Interested visitors can find all details about the anniversary year and opening hours on the Janus Pannonius Museum website.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Ruprech Judit
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