Master shoemaker László Vass—the founder of the world-renowned Vass Shoes—can rightly be called one of Hungary’s most significant art collectors today. His collection, which focuses primarily on constructivist trends, is constantly expanding to include phenomena of post-war constructivist, minimalist, concrete, and conceptual art, as well as works by world-renowned artists.
He purchased the very first pieces of his collection, which currently consists of some 650 works of art, in the 1970s. The collection was first presented at the Csikász Gallery in Veszprém in 1999. It was then that the idea arose to bring a permanent exhibition compiled from the collection to Veszprém. The deposit agreement was signed 25 years ago, in 2001, between the city government and László Vass.
The current Modern Art Gallery was created by connecting and merging three buildings. Architect Gábor Turányi and his team, during this complex and challenging design project, transformed the buildings—with their varied floor plans and from different eras—into a gallery space that harmonizes with the historic castle setting and the spirit of the collection of abstract works.
The first permanent exhibition of the Vass Collection opened in June 2003 in the new building in Veszprém. Over the past 23 years, numerous exhibitions of international significance have been held at the Modern Art Gallery, including works by Max Bill, Bernar Venet, and Dóra Maurer. Continuing the presentation of international works organized by country, this time we focus on the work of artists associated with France.
Restraint and elegance. Optical illusions and contemplative works. The simple visual expression of geometric systems. The square as the foundation of art.
The latest selection from the Modern Art Gallery – László Vass Collection, guided by the concepts listed above, explores the most significant French representatives of constructive, concrete art and abstract, geometric endeavors.
The exhibition features works by Charles Bézie, Gaël Bourmaud, Geneviève Claisse, Daniel de Spirt, Jean Dewasne, Jean-Michel Gasquet, Jean Gorin, Julije Knifer, Henri Prosi, Yves Popet, Aurélie Nemours, François Morellet, Geneviève Claisse, Jean-François Dubreuil, Bernard Venet, and Jean Tinguely. The exhibition is complemented by works by Hungarian-born artists living in Paris—Vera Molnár, Katalin Hetey, Tamás Konok, Márta Pán—and Victor Vasarely, who was born 120 years ago.