The largest independent contemporary art event in Hungary, OFF-Biennale Budapest announces Dystopia/Utopia party, organized in place of the opening ceremony of its third iteration, that was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The party is also to launch a fundraising campaign by biennale participant PAD Foundation to the benefit of a disadvantaged segregated settlement in rural Hungary.
The third edition of OFF-Biennale Budapest was scheduled to open on April 24, 2020, but it had to be postponed. According to current plans, it will take place next Spring. The urgency of the biennale and its projects has only increased in the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications, which propels the organizers to be vocal.
On the eve of April 24 OFF-Biennale presents a special event: an online live-stream party featuring young upcoming Hungarian musicians. This occasion is not only to air out collective frustration, but also they consider partying a form of resistance. The OFF-Biennale team and participants are planning to demonstrate together with partners, supporters, and with local as well as international audiences in virtual space, this time not against but for something. “We are going to look out to the future and take in the possibilities of constructive change. Let’s celebrate the work ahead of us that we can invest into building sustainable systems. Let’s face and embrace overwhelming dystopias and utopias.” — they say.
At the same time, party-goers can take action in their homes: parallel to the party, and with the help of an OFF-Biennale participant, the PAD Foundation, OFF is launching a four-week long fundraising campaign for a segregated settlement in rural Hungary, where support is life-saving for many. They aim at helping out 90 households with the donations. Buy a ticket in the form of a donation and join them in the party.
The line-up playing in the studio of Lahmacun Radio:
Bálint Szabó Gosheven
Ábris Gryllus
Lőrinc Borsos
Gábor Lázár
You can catch the live video on the Facebook page of OFF-Biennale with the generous logistical and technical help of Lahmacun Radio. The audio-only version will be streamed on their radio frequencies: www.lahmacun.hu/
THE FUNDRAISING
PAD Foundation and OFF-Biennale are collecting donations for 90 households of a segregated settlement in rural Hungary.
PAD Foundation conducts research, policy analyses, advocacy, educational and awareness raising campaigns, as well as socially engaged art activities in the field of environmental justice. Its ongoing research takes place in a disadvantaged and segregated settlement in Hungary, complemented by work to promote local cooperation and advocacy. The outcome of their work will be presented in the framework of the third OFF-Biennale Budapest.
People belonging to the most vulnerable social groups are disproportionately affected by the current pandemic. Despite restrictive measures due to the epidemic, regular contact between PAD and the above mentioned community is reframed but still active. In this state of crisis, PAD and OFF would like to support the community with direct material donations that households need most, on the basis of prior surveys: beside boxes of food and hygienic products, they would like to provide help in securing electricity supply and creating Internet access necessary for distance education and information. The fundraising can be suported here.
