[spectre] Fwd: MetaForum X: PermaCrises – Budapest, October 24-26, 2024

[Andreas Broeckmann]

Folks, Spectrites, this comes as a recommendation to join MetaForum X in 
Budapest at the end of October. It seems like a great occasion to 
organise a Syndicate meeting to coincide with MFX, and maybe somebody 
can still try and arrange this. (Unfortunately, I myself will not be 
available that weekend.)
Regards,
Andreas

-------- Weitergeleitete Nachricht --------
Betreff: <nettime> MetaForum X: PermaCrises – Budapest, October 24-26, 2024
Datum: Sun, 21 Jul 2024 09:25:03 +0200
Von: Geert Lovink via nettime-l <nettime-l at lists.nettime.org>

MetaForum X: PermaCrises – Budapest, October 24-26, 2024

Call for Participation

Embracing the legacy of the three MetaForum conferences (1994-96), MFX 
continues to highlight the urgent issues of the times with a reflection 
on contemporary crisis surfing. The theme of PermaCrises examines the 
persistent breakdown of our political, societal and cultural systems, 
capturing the extremity of this situation through its continuality and 
pervasiveness.

The unique political climate of East-Central Europe, situated in a 
semi-periphery, generates a perspective that often feels overlooked and 
stagnant. In the nineties, Hungary provided a useful lens with which to 
view emerging social, political and technical realities – almost in slow 
motion – as they came into being. In keeping with this, this event seeks 
dust of that lens with a view that underscores the regional context, 
fostering dialogues about the cultural dynamics of the immediate 
environment, influenced by and influencing global tendencies. While some 
speak of a ‘stack of crises’, others use terms such as polycrisis and 
metacrisis. Permacrisis emphasizes time: a neverending end. It questions 
how to confront crises such as the hot wars in Ukraine or Gaza, or the 
warm wars across the global south, the rise of right-wing populism 
worldwide, the impending environmental catastrophe, and the growing 
social disparities globally. None of these crises can be separated from 
the current ascent of technocracy or the exploitative nature of digital 
capitalism.

In October 1994, the inaugural MetaForum significantly impacted media 
art, activism and discourse within Hungary, across East-Central Europe 
and points further West. Organized by the Media Research Foundation in 
cooperation with the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest, it was 
conceived of and realized by Geert Lovink, Diana McCarty, and János 
Sugár. This series of three yearly conferences transformed the scope of 
media art events and gained a special notoriety. It sparked vital 
discussions and collaborations, blending media criticism, tactical 
media, and cultural exchanges between East and West.  As the 30th 
anniversary draws near, we are excited to announce MetaForum X, set for 
October 2024. This edition promises to tackle the critical issues of our 
era, focusing on the deep influence of digital technology on art, 
culture, and societal frameworks.

Over three days, MetaForum X will merge presentation formats and topics 
featuring younger voices that are engaged with current issues and 
reconnecting with original participants from the series with in-depth 
lectures, discussions and screenings. The urgent concerns of young 
people bridging generational knowledge and fostering ongoing dialogue 
for a sustainable and inclusive future.

Date and Program

24 October: Welcome and guided tour at T+U’s exhibition

25-26 October: Forum and conference days.

Evening programs include the live streaming of the UKRAiNATV web 
streaming network (together with students from the Intermedia dept. of 
the Fine Art Academy), the screening of Hungarian/CEE video art and DJ sets.

Venues

Trafo House of Contemporary Arts (Liliom u. 41)

Hungarian University of Fine Arts – Intermedia Department (Kmety György 
u. 27)

Editorial Team

Flóra Barkóczi, Geert Lovink, Áron Lődi, Diana McCarty, Zsolt 
Miklósvölgyi, János Sugár.

Confirmed Artists and Theorists from East-Central Europe

Tjaša Pogačar and Maks Valenčič (SI, ŠUM Journal), Petrică Mogoș and 
Laura Naum (RO, KAJET), Dušan Barok (SK/NO, Monoskop), Sanja Sekelj (HR, 
Institute of Art History in Zagreb), Vanda Sárai (ELTE), Cséfalvay 
András (SK), Ágnes Básthy (ELTE), Szilvi Német (ELTE), Juli Laczkó 
(HU/NL), Boldizsár Hordós (HU), the Red Forest collective and others.

We welcome participants of the former MetaForums (1994-96) and all 
others to join us in Budapest, hoping that MFX will turn into similarly 
lively dialogues as the previous events. One thing remained the same. 
Like Metaforum I-III, the X edition is a high-energy, low to no-budget 
event. If you want to participate in any form, let us know, for instance 
if you need an official invitation to cover travel and accommodation 
costs. More details on the program will be announced in September.

Contact

metaforumx at proton.me
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