A Goth Tourist in Budapest: where to shop and what to buy

The next episode of a not-so-fictional goth tourist's (also known as me) escapades in Budapest is about what funny or weird things I bought there.

As I mentioned in a previous post, a little white rabbit led my travel group of two into a big flea market on Saturday. The flea market is held every weekend (at least during warmer months) in the city's park Városliget. According to all tourist guides one is sure to make great finds in that flea market but I was rather disappointed. There were some sellers with nice old things but nothing really weird or creepy that would fit a goth's taste. There was also many people selling their clothes and unopened everyday products like toothpaste in big bulks.

I still managed to find something to buy. Two dead old watches and some small metallic plate. I intend to do some DIY and make a steampunk inspired brooch or a hair accessory or something.

Me and my companion also wondered around a regular shopping center and I found some casual and smart shoes for this fall. Though they are fake suede, so they are not good if there is any rain. From another shoe shop I found these gorgeous green legwarmers and stockings. The stockings were on sale and 990 FT is about 3 euro.

A shop I really adored in Budapest was Szputnyik Shop on Dohány utca 20, in the centrum area. They had interesting second hand clothes, accessorizes, hats and other stuff and a huge amount of clothes, jewelry and what not by local designers.

I had my eye on several really cool print tops but alas I am not the right shape for them! They look good on more flat people and with my curves there was no chance. My companion bought one I wanted to buy too. It did not look half as good on me as in this pic.

If you are interested of design and local artists, I must recommend Magma, a Hungarian design and contemporary art gallery in the centrum, pretty close to the river, on the side of Pest. I bought this cute little fox from there!

Unfortunately this print is on a slightly shimmering paper so trying to take a good photo of it was quite frustrating. Here is a link to the artists webpage. I cant remember how much I payed for my little fox but it was not too expensive. I also bought three postcards from the museum shop of Ludwig Museum, of which I am going to write the next post, since it was a great art museum. Here are the three works of art on postcards:

I shall tell more about them in the next post, why ruin the content of it now! Finally the last three things I bought from another design shop. These are more goth-y too.

A skull of coarse. This is the perfect size and if I am any judge, it probably belonged to an European roe deer. It was the first thing I saw in the design shop. The place is Szimpla Design Shop, their webpage is under construct but here is their facebook page. 

When I saw the second object that interested me the conversation between me and the salesperson was this:

me: That's pretty. What is it and how much is it?
salesperson: To be honest, I do not know what it is but it costs 10 euros.

A short silence. 

me: I'll take it.

So, if any of you know what that thing is on the right, please tell me! I do know that the thing on the left is a ballpoint pen, I put it there to show you how big that other thing is. Me and my entourage of one soul pondered this for a while. We wondered if it might be a part of a door handle. But where could one grab it? We saw those metallic middle parts by themselves of the flea market I mentioned earlier.

 The last thing I bought and am going to show you is this.

This too costed only ten euros. It is made of porcelain and it is exactly the size you might think it is. 

It is a vase for flowers, though I am not going to put real live flowers in it. The shape might be cool but it is inconvenient if one tries to actually clean it well from inside. I predict it would soon start to smell, if there was water and organic things like parts of plants in it. I shall buy a black fake flower to make this perfect.

This porcelain gun has so far been the most fun thing I bought. Since it is of such delicate material, of coarse I had to take it back to Finland in my hand luggage! I must say it was rather fun at the security check before we could go to the gate area. No surprise, my bag was taken for a more thorough inspection than mere translumination. The inspecting person asked me to open the bag and started to go through it. To make things speedier I said something like "What you are probably looking for is in that small pocket on the lid part of the luggage. I mean, if you are looking for a gun shaped object, there is a designer vase that fits that description". I was as nice as it was possible and explained how I really could not have put a delicate object like that in to the cargo bin. In the end the inspector said it was actually rather cool a gun and let me proceed to the gates.

I hope these recommendations of shops have been helpful if somebody is planning to visit Budapest and that this post has been at least entertaining! Next time, some culture tips, an art museum and some museums of specific parts of history.

A Goth Tourist in Budapest: The Labyrinth of Buda Castle

Three nights ago I returned from Budapest and I am on the move this whole week too, so I do not have a chance to actually really go through all photos and write about all goth-y things I did or see on my trip. But I definitely do want to tell about one attraction in Budapest for goths: The Labyrinths of Buda Castle.

There was a mention of them on my tourist information book but online a webpage of Budavári Labirintus claimed the labyrinths are closed for good. On the tourist info of Budapest one can see that there is another organizer (and perhaps owner too?) of the entrance to the labyrinth.  I am not sure but to me it seems this Budavári Labirintus was as an organisation more interested of history. The one that now has the Labyrinth tour had made it for a wider customer base.

They had organized some slightly creepy compositions of mannequins in the costumes of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Un Ballo in Maschera (a masked ball). With the dummies there were also props from the Cinderella Ballet Show, if I remember correctly. One was not allowed to take photos, so I have no aid for my poor memory. Parts of Verdi's opera were playing in different parts of the labyrinth.

There was also the rather cheesy horror show too: Vlad the Impaler, who lived on the 15th century, was held captive in Buda for a while and since Vlad is said to be one of those things Bram Stoker took inspiration of while writing his novel Dracula, these things were happily remixed in the information boards for tourists. With them there of coarse were tacky props of tomb crosses and the grave of Dracula and other stuff.

There was also a part where one could walk a little way in the dark and the only guidance was to hold a rope. They had put up signs that were daring and warning of creepy and foul things on the way and at some point there were some dummies in soldiers clothing and some child size dummies, like from some horror film. It was fun but since the labyrinth was really damp the rope one had to follow in the dark was wet, afterwards the had one had used to follow the rope smelled quite awful and dirty.

All in all the labyrinths were themselves interesting and the carnival like sideshows of Verdi's opera and Dracula were funny. At least the opera music sounded awesome in the tunnels! I do like those tacky sides of goth subculture but not excessively. Kitch is fun but I do prefer melancholy. I feel like there had been the possibility to make the Buda Labyrinths creepy with the actual history. I can not compare how the labyrinths were before and I can not know if I had liked them better but still I do recommend all goths visiting Budapest to take an hour and see the slightly cheesy Buda Castle Labyrinth too.

This little white rabbit pointed the way to the big flea market in the city's park Városliget and in the next week post I am going to show all the cool things I bought on my trip!

Gothic Art in Spotlight: Ismo Kajander's peculiar object collages

I visited EMMA (Espoo Museum of Modern Art) and here are my favorites of their permanent collection. For those who do not know, Espoo is the second biggest city in Finland and it is part of the "metropolis area", which includes the capital Helsinki and the two cities Espoo and Vantaa.

All three pieces of art are by Ismo Kajander, who was born the year the Second World War started. In the sixties Kajander travelled to Paris and he was influenced by the artistic movement le Nouveau Réalisme and started to make object collages. He has also made art with photography, he has won several prizes with his work and he has been a teacher at Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture and a principal in the first art school in Finland in which he had himself too studied 30 years earlier.

The name of this first object collage is "From the series Gloria Vanderbilt: The soul flies up to Osiris" and it was made year 1992.

The object collage is made with tin bucket, pitch and a bird's wing. It hangs in the sealing higher than my head was so I am guessing there is about two or three meters between the tin bucket and the floor. I really do not know how I understand and interpret the name "The soul flies to Osiris" but this artwork is still (or maybe because of it) extremely appealing to me.

I really enjoy how there are similarities between the new realism and surrealism but the founders of le Nouveau Réalisme stated that it was "new ways of perceiving the real" and in the surrealism the artists personal symbolism is in much bigger role. Frankly I do not give a toss about "the artists intentions" when I am enjoying  her/his painting, installation or other work. I do not believe it is necessary to know the artists history and was the artists somehow traumatized as a kid. Nor there is a need to feel inadequate when looking at an abstract painting called "White and Gray" and some curator or the artist pops up and says "This painting is about the meaningless devastation of war. How did you not realize it instantly? You must be an ignorant idiot."

Of coarse being aware of conventions of art and culture, present things, news and happenings in the world helps to see contemporary art and artworks that represent it in new light and that way a viewer might enjoy more of all those installations, paintings and statues. I think that is for the viewers own enjoyment and fun, not so that the viewer won't have to feel stupid.

The second object collage I really liked is "A sheep called Albert". It is from year 2000 and I don't know if there was an Albert in the reality of 2000 giving some connotation to the reality (if we consider this collage to represent New Realism) but still I think this collage is interesting. It instantly makes me think about escape goats, white lies and in general the problems of communication and humanity. The objects of this collage are a bomb (deactivated I'm sure), clock-face, glass, clamps, plastic sheep and a dead pigeon. The poor pigeon is crushed underneath the bomb and every once in awhile that clock suddenly strikes and the voice is eerie in the big exhibition hall.

Here is a close-up of Albert. 

Third piece of art is "Breakfast with Foucault", also from year 2000. I guess to really get off of this collage it is necessary to know little something about Foucault and his ideas and essays and books about knowledge, power and also sexuality. I am not going to go on and on about them, I'll just say those are really interesting readings, if you like non-fiction!

Another close-up. I think this breakfast is delightfully weird and creepy.

Gothic Art in Spotlight: Dreamlike Photography and the Cards Against Humanity

Last week I shortly visited Tampere because me and my literature student friends had decided to play Cards Against Humanity. It was hilarious and since it was a gorgeous sunny day, we played in a park. Oh, all that sinister laugh when somebody had a really cruel and witty answer card to the question!

Alas, I did not take any photos of the best answers, but here are some we made. The idea is either to fill up the blank parts or to answer a question.

Q: "What is that sound?"

A: "The violation of our most basic human rights."


Q: "___________ + ___________ = profit"

A: "Lady Gaga + Tentacle porn = profit" (I could so see this happening in a few years.)


Q: I think it's sad how the kids these days are all getting involved with ___________"

A: "Hope."


And so on, I'm sure you all get the point! The more awful or absurd the answer, the bigger the probability you win a point. I must admit, some people in the park gave us rather disapproving glances when we played, yelled and laughed.

"Milavida # 19" 2013

Besides this cool game I also visited a really good art exhibition in TR1, in the heart of Tampere. The exhibition was "Marja Pirilä: Carried by Light". Pirilä is a photographer who has concentrated on light and shadow. She uses a camera obscura technique on a whole new level. Camera obscura means "dark room" and that is the technique all cameras work and that is the word combination the camera has got its name. When you have a dark room (or a small box like the camera) and then you have a teeny tiny whole in one of the walls, the light from the other side comes through and makes a projection of the outside on the wall opposite. If I remember correctly, the camera obscura was invented during the Renaissance in Italy.

How does Pirilä take the camera obscura to the next level? By turning the space she is photographing into a camera obscura too. This way the outside of a grand room gets to creep inside the room and the result is breathtakingly beautiful. All these photographs are pigment ink prints.

"Milavida # 14" 2013

The series "Milavida" was my favorite. There were also photos of humans with their rooms. Even though they too were interesting and beautiful, I did not find the pretty in a gothic way.

"Milavida # 1" 2012

All pictures in this post are from this webpage. I also fell in love with Milavida # 2, 3 and 7. If you have the possibility, go see the exhibition in TR1 or google some more pictures of Marja Pirilä!

The Professor's Monthly Homework Assignment: The Dog Days of Summer

The Professor of The Curious Professor Z has relaunched her Monthly Homework Assignment! Hooray! The theme of this month is to tell about how we survive the dog days of summer, when it is hot and goths still insist on wearing black!

It is rather funny that my dog days of summer are literally with dogs. Today is the first day of a week when I am dog-sitting three dogs. My parents are on a holiday and those three merry creatures are now my responsibility.

They do have proper names but I've started to call them by nicknames. The eldest is called Dictator, since she is a collie, they are used to shepherd farm animals, and therefore this Dictator tries to lead and herd others. She gets rather worried if the pack is scattered around so she has a way of keeping me in place: she sits on my foot.

Rascal with a toy.

Off my foot, you Dictator!

The second oldest is a miniature schnauzer. This small breed was used to hunt rats and other small inconvenient animals in the country. This particular miniature schnauzer is extremely interested of small furry things and he has quite a killers instinct. He also likes to make trouble. If everything is too quiet, he makes a racket as if he had spotted a stranger lurking on the property and other dogs go along with it howling and running. Therefore his new name is Agitator. 

Rascal

Rascal killing the toy

Agitator

Third dog is the newest and I've actually known him for less than a half a year. He is a normal size schnauzer and he is extremely energetic and impossibly curious about everything. He seems to laugh a little all the time. He sometimes gets a bit of trouble trying to follow mopeds or acting like some humorous action hero. He is called Rascal. 

Agitator is chewing some sort of a hay. 

Now that I have introduced my entourage, we are off to fight the troubles of Dog days of summer! For the dogs it is rather easy. There is a small fountain in the garden. After the walk in the morning they all ( besides Agitator, he is not fond of water) went to have a little cooling bath. I guess I too could go and splash around the little pool but it would not be that hygienic. Therefore I am to settle with airy short dresses and bikinis underneath. 

Dictator has a tendency to water unsuspecting toes. She takes water in her mouth, walks to the nearest person, asks for petting and then lowers her head. All water pours on the toes or even worse, on clothes!

I'm slightly sorry for this excessive amount of pics of dogs. I guess it's like with babies. Everybody believes their drooling bundle is the cutest thing ever. :D

To survive the dog days of summer, I recommend to eat lots of fruits and use parasols like The Professor in her post! I too own two parasols. The other is white lace (there were no black parasols left) and the other one is from a Chinese shop in Amsterdam, Holland. The dogs were not goth-y, so let me try to make that up to you!

Also a pic of my summer dress. Since I am alone and the mirrors and the light inside are not optimal, you'll just see it hanging on a wall. Sorry about that. :)

The pic is from behind so you can see the upper part is lace. I bought this from EMP, which is a Finnish online store for goth, rock and heavy metal fashion. The hem is uneven, the long parts are ending just above the knee. It is a really nice dress but I've had it over a year now and I've noticed it is no longer so elastic. It has became rather baggy from the waist. That's actually quite great now when it is really hot but this dress is no longer "sharp", meaning I would no longer use it outside home. 

There is a bigger reason than the weather, why I am not having that much goth content in this post. Unfortunately with this horde of dogs it is not wise to use one's favorite dresses. I took all these dog pictures right after the morning walk and the beloved dogs finished the sport pants I wore for the walk with endearing touch, since being photographed was so much fun.

Thanks for reading and do check what other participants have done for Monthly Homework Assignment!

Planning a trip to Budapest and what to see

I am travelling to Budapest, the capital of Hungary, in less than a month. This post is about my goth-y travel plans and if you have a tip, please leave a comment! I would love to know what else one can do in that beautiful city.


Arany Sas Pharmacy Museum

This museum is in the house where the first apothecary of Budapest originally situated. According to tourist information, they have recreated an alchemist's laboratory and there are tons of interesting objects to see.


Semmelweis Museum of Medical History

In the webpage of this museum they state they have one of the richest collections of physician and chemist historical collection. We all know the history of medicine has been rather peculiar and often gory so it would definitely be an interesting place to visit.


Labyrinth of Buda Castle

Apparently they are open 24/7 but if you go there by night, you have to register. That way they know who are lurking in the dark labyrinth!


The Opera

I was to understand that in August there would be a large international opera and ballet festival and there would be numerous visiting groups of dancers and singers performing in the Hungarian State Opera. Alas, there is no mention of any shows in the State Opera's web page or performance calendar. Maybe I do not know how to search the information from the right place? I really want to see an opera or a ballet in there that way I also can see the beautiful opera house from the inside!


Random walking around to admire the architecture

Random walking around is usually the best way to see the city and bump into some unexpected and interesting things one could not find in a tourist information leaflet. Budapest is filled with architecture that interests a goth and there are numerous statues and other pierces of history and art scattered all over the city.


Attending a goth club

The great and mysterious internet has told me that there is a goth club every Friday at Marco Polo Club. It is in the vicinity of our hotel, so it is not a big effort to go and check if the goth night is still happening.


Some art museums and galleries

This should not be a great surprise to those who have read this blog. :)

Have you visited Budapest? Any tips on what one could do there?

Gothic Art in Spotlight: Eerie photography with needles and pins

About a month ago I introduced to you a sculptor who used fabric as the main material in her works. This time I am going to write about an artist, who mainly works with photography but for the last few years she has started to use needle more and more.

Ulla Jokisalo is a Finnish artist whose exhibition "Intentions - under the Guise of Play" I saw 2011 and I love her work. Jokisalo is a very commendable artist who has also been a professor at the University of Arts and Design (these days it is called Aalto University, it is situated in Helsinki and the neighboring city Espoo, in Finland) I remembered Jokisalo because last week I visited that same museum I saw her work and in the museum's shop I saw a postcard of one of her artworks. It was one of my favorites and you can see it below.

Source

The name of this piece of art is "Ring dance" and the dancing children are actually attached with little pins on the other pigment print, so it is not just a print, those pins are sticking out of it. It looks rather creepy, the children dancing in mid-air in a spooky grey forest and the pins give a little hint of voodoo and black magic, at least it does to me.

Another one I really like is "Inspiration". When I first saw it I did not instantly check the title of the work and the first thing I thought about it was that this is about domestic violence. I guess that tells more about me and my pessimistic point of view than it tells about the artwork "Inspiration". :)

Source

These works of Jokisalo are somewhat special, since the yarn and needles are real and they seem to push towards the viewer and I have seldom seen yarn used in art of photography. The third and last artwork I want to show you is "Neulankantaja" (Carrier of the needle). This headless figure carrying a huge needle is somehow really appealing to me.

Source

Thanks for reading and I would love to hear which one of these artworks is your favorite!