If you are already familiar with the Trafó House Of Contemporary Arts, you won't be surprised that this postindustrial venue will host some of the most unique events of the season. Performances, concerts, exhibitions, community programs – we don't know which is harder: picking a favorite from the long list of different programs, or finding somebody who can't find anything to his or her liking. Trafó is embedded in the international modern-arts scene, so apart from providing space for local talents, you can also find the hidden gems of other countries. Here is a look at what awaits audiences in the coming months:
ExhibitionsThe first exhibition of the season will be the solo exhibition of István Csákány, following his international debut at dOCUMENTA (13).
Through his works, Csákány clearly attempts to renew and reinterpret the genre of sculpture, and his methodology blends instinctive and elementary installation skills, bringing forth new energies into this discipline. In this solo show Csákány reforms the practice, based on the tactics of appropriation, the use of found objects, which are reconstructed and recontextualized in his different works. He opens a new chapter in his oeuvre by attempting to summarize and transcend the physical and theoretical frame of his previous pieces, which focused on the general topics of work and the artistic career, as such. Grim, dark and exciting – from September 12 to October 19.
Although little is known yet about what kind of exhibitions Trafó Gallery will host later this season, based on previous years' experiences, we are sure that it's worthwhile to keep an eye on their program.ConcertsAs a part of UH Fest, the duo of Stephen O'Malley (Sunn O))), Khanate, Burning Witch, etc.) and Peter Rehberg (Pita), AKA KTL, will give a special concert at Trafó on October 4 at 8pm, along with Eli Keszler, Philip Jeck, Tigrics and Janek Schaefer. KTL's music is usually labelled as drone-metal or noise, but it also shows the influence of European avant-garde and American minimalism.
Monumental, loud and yet somehow gentle noise with guitar and laptop, that swirls, murmurs and encompasses; while it can of course be called dark, its goal is not to overwhelm, but rather to caress you.
Trafó's long-running concert series, Masters of Indian Classical Music, will also continue this season: the
classical tabla virtuoso of our time, the legendary Zakir Hussain, is coming to Budapest with his Masters of Percussion ensemble on November 2 at 8pm. Renowned for his mesmerizing improvisations, dazzling technique and beguiling wit, Zakir has toured internationally for decades, showcasing premier percussionists in unforgettable ensemble configurations. At his concert at Budapest, he will be joined by Rakesh Chaurasia on bansuri; SabirKhan on sarangi; Abbos Kosimov on doyra, and Deepak Bhatt on dhol.
Bill Frisell, one of the best jazz guitarists of the world, is exploring his inspiration from American electric guitarists of the the '40's, 50's and 60's — the instrumental popular music made "right at the birth of the Fender Telecaster guitar". During this concert on November 8 at 8pm, he and his fellow jammers explore electric-guitar music in the space age — Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant, Charlie Christian, Merle Travis, Link Wray, Duane Eddy, Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale, the Ventures, the Beach Boys, the Astronauts, the Wrecking Crew, and more. Frisell will be joined by fellow guitar master Greg Leisz on electric and pedal steel guitars, and his trio partners Tony Scherr on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums.
PerformancesCompagnie Pál Frenák presented its dance performance entitled "Tricks & Tracks" in 1999, which made them well-known to the public. The basic concept of this legendary and momentous production still has not lost its timeliness. "Tricks & Tracks 2" is a revision of the original performance: ironic, cruel and provocative.
The artistes slip from one character to the next, undressing themselves and then slipping back into their created roles. Their bodies leave real traces while slamming into each other or the sterile white surfaces, clashing and clinging, eagerly seeking each other's presence. "Tricks & Tracks 2" was one of the best performances of Trafó's last season, and in case you missed it then, this is your chance to catch it — especially since there will be two times when Compagnie Pál Frenák will perform this special production: September 26 and 27 at 8pm each night.
After its Austrian premiere in August, "John", the latest work of DV8 (one of England’s most outstanding physical-theater companies) arrives to Budapest for three shows on October 1, 2, and 3 at 8pm each night.
Lloyd Newson has interviewed over 50 men, asking them frank, in-depth questions about their lives and thoughts on sex, love and personal struggles. In this new work we get a peek of – what is for many – an unknown world. Similarly to "Can we talk about this?", the piece will be as polarizing as engaging. Lloyd Newson's revolutionary move is the way he creates specific links between dance and physical and verbatim theater. But from the start it is movement with meaning that matters. In English, with Hungarian subtitles.
Ivana Müller is a choreographer, artist, and author of texts. Her dance and theater performances, installations, text works, video lectures, audio pieces, guided tours, and web works are presented at venues and festivals such as Rotterdamse Schouwburg, La Villette Paris, Wiener Festwochen, DTW New York, HAU Berlin, and Kaaitheater Brussels. Her newest work, titled "In Common", can be seen at Trafó on October 10 and 11 at 8pm each night. The ensemble piece deals with questions like what we represent, how we are represented, and can a group of people represent one idea?
In her production, Romanian playwright and director Gianina Cărbunariu will present a strong, almost ancient story of a young hero, who rebelled against the rules of his small town and the laws of his big country.
“No longer are we going to suffer injustice in this country!” "Freedom! We demand human rights to be respected!“ The author of these inscriptions on the walls which appeared in a small Romanian town in 1981 was just a sixteen-year-old boy. Staged at Trafó on November 18 at 8pm, the production by Gianina Cărbunariu follows the dramatic story of the young hero, "a street artist“ who was deserted by his neighbors one by one following the intimidation by the secret police, and who could have not ended his life but tragically.
Community buildingPecha Kucha (Japanese for chit-chat) has tapped into a demand for a forum in which creative work can easily and informally be shown, without having to rent a gallery or chat up a magazine editor. Interesting and surprising projects and tasty DJ sets make for unforgettable nights. Every event features around a dozen presentations, each lasting exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds to keep the evening fast-paced and entertaining.
Pecha Kucha is a new phenomenon with a growing demand that seems to be global – Pecha Kucha Night (PKN), without any great marketing or pushing, has now spread virally to over 260 cities across the world.
Trafó first hosted PKN in September 2009, and now is the time for the 40th edition! Save the date: October 28, 8:20pm.
Getting to Trafó HouseThe Trafó House of Contemporary Arts is housed in a former electric power transfer station at Liliom u. 41 in District IX. The nearest public-transport stop for both metro line M3 and tram 4-6 is Corvin-negyed. Check out www.trafo.hu for more info and ticketing.
