The Musical Walls project is a unique interactive sound installation guiding us through the rich musical past and vibrant present of Erzsébetváros, across various sites in Budapest’s 7th District. The aim of this project is to bring residents and visitors closer to the district’s musical heritage through public artworks, linking past and present in harmony. For this purpose, the renowned art collective, Metrum Ensemble, has been chosen as the creative force. Since their debut in 2012, Metrum Ensemble has been a distinctive presence in Hungarian music, reviving the memories of Erzsébetváros through their unique artistic vision, with a special focus on Jewish traditions, cabarets, and coffeehouse music, as well as the district’s working-class and religious musical heritage. Through interactive Sounding Memorials this rich legacy becomes accessible to all, with QR codes allowing people to acces to the curated musical selections on their mobile devices.
DemArt
MUSICAL WALLS – unveiling of sounding plaques with short concerts
The performative procession will present and hand over works of art embedded in the context of the cultural heritage of the district, at seven sites selected as part of the Musical Walls programme in the 7th District.
Musical Walls – the experience of commissioning for the 7th district of Budapest
In May, we reached the final stage of the DemArt selection process. Our three chosen artists presented their ideas to us and some of the local community at the Bethlen Square Theatre. It was wonderful to see the work and imagination behind the pieces. In all honesty, we knew it was not possible to select ‘the best’ from such a wide range of disciplines, so we agreed to come back to our main objective: how much does the piece connect to the local community of District 7?
Democratic Curation at Valley of Arts Festival 2024
Last week, our colleague Panka Paskuj led an inspiring panel discussion on “Democratic Curation” at the Valley of Arts Festival 2024, an event that brought together artists and project managers to explore new approaches to art curation.
Celebrating International Artistic Connections: DemArt’s Inspiring Journey at the 22nd Survival Festival in Wrocław
The curators and project coordinators and advisors of DemArt visited Wrocław from June 20-23, 2024, to participate in the 22nd Survival Festival. The festival is held at different locations in Poland each year, and this year’s theme was Romanticism, specifically exploring the meanings and values present today that originate from Polish and regional Romanticism, and how they shape modernist perspectives.
The curators of the DemArt project have selected a collective of artists to create an art work about and for the VII. district
The theater hall of the Bethlen Téri Színház hosted the presentation of the DemArt art project plans, where the representatives of the three selected projects, Dorottya Márton, the Metrum Ensemble and Kristóf Szabó, presented what kind of artistic work they would create focusing on the stories and characteristics of the 7th District. In 20 minutes each, the artists presented the purpose and justification of the art project, its impact on the community and their relationship with the community. The workflow and detailed budget of the art project, during which the work is created. They presented what kind of permissions they might need and how they would prepare and present the work. At the event, curators and guests had the opportunity to ask the artists questions.
Artists Selected – DemArt Project for the Seventh District of Budapest
The International Institute of Community Commissioned Art (IICCA) was co-founded by Bethlen Theater (Bethlen) / Pro Progressione (HU), Art Transparent (PL), and New Theater Institute of Latvia (LV) as part of the DemArt project. Its goal is to democratize art funding and commissioning practices in local municipalities and other cultural organizations, as well as empower local communities to support their cultural needs.
Introducing the curators of the DemArt project
DemArt is based on the “radical” belief that culture in our society is for everyone.
Presentation of artistic projects – DemArt
When we imagine an art commissioner or patron, we usually think of a wealthy, influential person or institution selecting works of art with (or without) curators and experts specializing in public exhibition…
Open call for artists at IICCA – DemArt
Under the DemArt project, IICCA is looking for individual artists/ artist groups / collectives who wish to contribute to the community of the 7th district of Budapest through developing an art piece. Artistic projects can be proposed from, and involve any artistic discipline (visual, performing, sound, mixed etc.) but must contain long-lasting impact and engagement for the local community. Submitted projects will be assessed by a group of art commissioners from the local community.