“these walls are not here to defend us”
Walls are erected when a sense of insecurity takes hold—between nations, peoples, and cultures, both externally and within. Brick by brick, decree by decree, word by word, they rise—obstructing oversight, empathy, and understanding.
Open and associative yet tangible and specific, the exhibition these walls... brings together a diverse array of artistic practices that explore the Biennale’s key themes: safety and security. Though loosely connected, the selected works speak to and through one another, their varied—and at times conflicting—voices coexisting in dialogue. Informed by distinct human, cultural, and political experiences across geographies and historical moments, these perspectives intersect and challenge binary thinking, rising fascist ideologies, and patriarchal worldviews. They confront both literal and metaphorical walls that shape our contemporary reality.
Schedule
The exhibition’s title is drawn from a poem by Rebeka Kupihár, whose writing reflects the friction and fragility of everyday life. As a young, non-heteronormative woman navigating Hungary’s political and social climate—marked by right-wing backlash, propaganda, discrimination, economic disparity, and worsening environmental and healthcare conditions—Kupihár moves through both real and imagined borders. Yet her gaze remains steady, her voice free of judgment. She meets the world with close attention, and embraces joy, sensuality, and freedom amid adversity.
In this spirit, the exhibition—presented at the newly opened Merlin as part of OFF-Biennale Budapest—threads together nuanced reflections on both individual and collective experiences. It acknowledges hardship, but also resilience. Through a poetic sensibility and a commitment to in-person connection, the works offer responses to violence that resist fear and division. Rather than reinforcing the walls that separate us, they envision new ways to find safety—through tenderness, empathy, patience, and shared humanity.
Exhibiting artists: Larry Achiampong (UK), Kateryna Aliinyk (UA), Kader Attia (DZ/FR), Daniel Baker (UK), Barna Anna (HU), Berhidi Mária (HU), Cigánybűnözők (HU), Anna Daučíková (SK/CZ), Sara Greavu – Ciara Phillips – Derry Film and Video Workshop (IE), El-Hassan Róza (HU/SY), The Erfurt Women Artists’ Group (DE), Rachel Fallon – Alice Maher (IE), Robert Gabris (SK/AT), Galyas Denerák Dóra (HU), Gáldi Vinkó Andrea (HU), Győri Andrea Éva (HU), Horváth Anita (HU), Horváth Gideon (HU), Ingela Ihrman (SE), Flo Kasearu (EE), Koltay Dorottya Szonja (HU), Dominika Kowynia (PL), Loránt Anikó (HU), Goranka Matić (SI), Noor Afshan Mirza – Brad Butler (UK), Zanele Muholi (ZA), Iz Öztat (TR), Paula Rego (PT), Davinia-Ann Robinson (UK), Katarina Šević (RS/HU), Takács Zsófia (HU), Trapp Dominika (HU), Slavs and Tatars (PL/US), Zorka Wollny (PL)
Curators: Kálmán Rita, Lázár Eszter, Molnár Edit, Molnár Veronika, Páldi Lívia, Somogyi Hajnalka, Soós Borbála, Székely Katalin
Merlin Theatre
The 150th anniversary of Budapest brings a real surprise to its citizens. After twelve years, the Merlin Theatre, the capital's iconic building, is coming back to life and a new promenade is being created in the heart of the city centre. To celebrate its birthday on 17 November, the city will be celebrating with a whole week of events, a party, performances, concerts and an open-air exhibition!
The Merlin Theatre, which closed its doors in 2011, will reopen! The ALT.BP festival will include a theatre performance with Dorottya Udvaros, a slam poetry night, exhibitions and talks.
(source: welovebudapest.com)