Riverside Ludwig Museum is a prominent destination for contemporary art in Budapest, where modern-day masters present abstract drawings, surreal statues and innovative digital media. To provide further insight into the often-puzzling world of contemporary art, this summer the Ludwig is offering English-language guided tours of its current shows, one taken from its permanent collection. Temporary exhibitions also feature a series of one-minute sculptures by the Austrian Erwin Wurm and transformed Mickey Mouse installations by Sam Havadtoy, former companion to Yoko Ono. Museum areas that are ordinarily closed to the public will be accessible.

The restoration studio and storage rooms can also be visited during specially designed guided tours at the Ludwig Museum this summer. On August 1st, aficionados of contemporary art can gain background knowledge about the Ludwig and the artworks presented for the Westkunst-Ostkunst show, juxtaposing modern art of the East and West from the museum’s permanent collection. The same English-language tour runs on August 29th. Both events start at 4pm.

On August 8th and 22nd from 4pm, themed museum tours take visitors around the two temporary exhibitions on current display. During the hour-long walks, the group is first introduced to the alternative world of Erwin Wurm, whose sculptures are considered an abstract answer to consumerism, excess drinking and mortality. Here, participants can also be part of the display as some of Wurm’s works feature everyday objects that change in function and come alive as visitors interact with them.

The second part of the tour dives into the life of Hungarian-born New York artist Sam Havadtoy, who shifts between interior design and fine art and has worked with the likes of Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. The exhibition focuses on the 20 years that Havadtoy spent with Yoko Ono, pieces including a whitewashed chess board, a game that the duo often played together. Other elements feature Disney figures and a Fiat 500 wrapped in lace.

All guided tours are available with a valid entrance ticket or annual pass. See the Ludwig Museum website for more information.