Artpool Art Research Center at the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Artpool Art Research Center is a Budapest-based art archive, library, documentation, and research center founded in 1979 by György Galántai and Júlia Klaniczay. It was established with the aim to continue the tradition of the Balatonboglár Chapel Studio, a summer art space for avant-garde artists organized by Galántai between 1970 and 1973. Artpool was to function as an alternative institute for art practices not supported by the socialist regime, primarily focusing on conceptual art, mail art, performance, visual poetry, Fluxus, and other experimental forms of art. Its operation as an NGO started in 1992, continuing the former activity of collecting materials and documenting events both from Hungary and abroad. Based on Galántai’s “active archive” concept the aim was not only to preserve the collected documents but also to initiate new projects that circulate information and generate yet to be realized ideas. The legal operation enabled Artpool to open its space and archive for researchers and a larger audience, by organizing events, exhibitions, and public projects. Due to the lack of financial support in the 2000s, the operation as a non-profit institute became almost impossible by the end of the decade. In 2015 Artpool joined the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest and operates today as its separate unit.

Above: Artpool research room. Photo: Dóra Halasi, Artpool Art Research Center.