These are the top five books in my collection. They are neither limited editions nor signed copies – but I still love them for a reason:

1.       Annie Leibovitz: At work

As I do this photography course right now this must be the number one on the list. And just opening the book I found a couple black and white pictures I took in London last Christmas– what a surprise! The book is full of great pictures and her stories about them. A lot of personal and technical information about the making of. Beautiful pictures of wars, celebrities, family members and the last picture of John Lennon.

2.       Hans Ulrich Obrist: Marina Abramovic – The Conversation Series

Marina is my old time favorite and I just love this book. I read it a few times before went to Manchester this year to see her theatre play The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic. I mean I read it a few times since I have the book. It was sort of easy to read these conversations but I had to stop time to time as I felt a little dizzy just event thinking of her performances and how she tested her physical and mental limits. She is truly amazing.

3.       ILLUMINATIONS

Illuminations is the catalogue of the 54^th International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale. I selected the book as this was my very first visit to the Biennale. Flicking through the pages brings back all the great memories of the press days. The 10 hours bus drive to Venice, the heat, the excitement of the very first time of entering Giardini and the mosquito bites on my arms and feet.

4.       Crossing the Channel – Friendships an Connections in Paris and London 1946-1965; Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and Alberto Giacometti

However I missed the show in the Gagosian in London I decided to buy the exhibition catalogue. The book is a little treasure itself as you look at it. The vintage looking cover, the binding is so unique – and the paper inside! I couldn’t resist.

5.       Tracey Emin: those who suffer love

Messy handwritten poems and a collection of her beautiful monoprints. Not even a proper book more like an exercise-book I guess. You can get it from the White Cube.

I just arrived from London today. Well in the morning when I left London it was around 18 degrees (Celsius) there and when we arrived to Budapest it was 30 degrees. (!!!) Hell, but I don't complain.

In the coming days I will share with you what I visited - for now here you are some of the pictures. And now, I am going to sleep...

"you can cage the singer but not the song - free Ai Weiwei"
as it says on the wall next to the Lisson Gallery where
 the artist is on show. photo by Török Viktória

Tracey Emin is all over the city this summer. Her pop up shop at Selfridges.
All for sale: little mugs, limited edition prints, even wine (?) and her favourite
items from the famous department store. photo by Török Viktória

Miro - Miro - Miro. A real blockbuster at the Tate Modern. photo by Török Viktória

Little, intimate show from Cecily Brown at the Gagosian Gallery in Davies street.
Beautiful colors and strokes on the canvas. Photo by Török Viktória

Tracey Emin show at the Hayward Gallery. Huge. photo by Török Viktória

Colourful. Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts.
photo by Török Viktória

And all black by the Serpentine Gallery. Peter Zumthor's Pavilion.
photo by Török Viktória

Tracey Emin: Love is what you want. Exhibition view at the Hayward Gallery, London.

Sent using BlackBerry®

Louis Vuitton, London, New Bond Street
by Török Viktória

It is officially open for two days now. The Tracey Emin retrospective (Love is What you Want) at the Hayward Gallery is the first thing on my list when visiting London in July. I really love her monoprints and neon sculptures but I am also looking forward to see her video works and amazing blankets. The centre of Emin’s work is her personal experience and herself. Most of the time the works are quite frank, sexually provocative but they also can be funny. I am sure that the exhibition is very moving.

I learned from my Louis Vuitton spy - and former colleague that in the New Bond Street store at the exhibition space (first floor) there are works from her and also a limited edition silks scarf designed by her (edition of 50). And I am also 100% sure that the lovely bookstore is full of Emin’s book right now and other books that inspired her in her work. Cannot wait to see them all!



Royal Academy of Arts by Török Viktória

After last year’s Treasures from Budapest exhibition this summer Hungarians will take over the Royal Academy of Arts in London again.  I love going to the Royal Academy, the building is amazing and you can feel the history inside while walking up the step. They have a superb bookstore and gift shop – even selling china decorated with Tracey Emin’s drawings. (I picked her as she is one of my favourites). Books are great and their Christmas cards are beautiful. Actually the Treasures from Budapest exhibition catalogue you can buy here in Budapest in the bookshop of the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum).

To celebrate the European Presidency of Hungary there will be a Hungarian Photography Exhibition – opening end of June. Artists like Brassaï, Munkacsi, Moholy-Nagy, Kertesz and Capa – all in one place. There will be pictures from war to Hollywood film stars and pictures which capture the period of economic and social change in Hungary and Europe between 1914 and 1989.

Almost two years ago there was a Robert Capa exhibition in Budapest in the Ludwig Museum.  Capa who is considered to be the greatest war photographer ever was born in Budapest in 1913. After leaving Hungary he had an amazing life travelling around the world, living in hotels, and having friends like Ernest Hemingway or Pablo Picasso and a love affair with Ingrid Bergman.