Sofia Underground ?0?3

Ascension | 提升 | Възнесение

26 – 30 April 2023

The topic of the next edition of Bulgaria’s oldest event for performance art combines two interpretations of the same word.

The creative process can be selfish and narcissistic. It can be filled with the need to express oneself, but it becomes useful when it means something to people. What if art can heal bodies, cure souls, or clean thoughts? In this aspect, the word Ascension can be found in “Psychomagic”, Alejandro Jodorowsky’s famous healing art practices. Unconventional and provocative, educational, often very scandalous, but having a higher purpose – to heal and make life better.

Cover image: Stanimir Genov – Unfinished & Untitled, 2023, work in progress.

Another interpretation of the word hints at the spiritual side of the topic. It revolves around the philosophical term “Satori”, the Japanese word for “comprehension, awakening, sudden enlightenment”. Coming from Zen-Buddhism, it is described by philosophers as a normal everyday feeling, but walking a span above ground. “Light as a feather and free as air”, one has a sudden realisation that we all are part of the same universe and cosmic energy, contrasting to the “Chinese dream” or dictatorial selfishness of the modern world. Can this mere feeling be translated and transmitted with performance art? How can we rise to a higher evolutional level as human beings? Is there a possibility for natural Satori in times like these?

The festival will unfold over the course of 5 days, presenting performances, lectures, sound art, dance projects and collaborations exploring new and exciting spaces in Sofia.

PROGRAM

(in order of appearance)

21-22-23/04/2023
@ Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center Sofia (16 Aksakov Str)
21st – 19:00 – 21:00; 22nd – 15:00 – 19:00; 23rd – 15:00 – 19:00
Dávid Somló (HU) – Site-specific and Performative Sound – masterclass

26/04/2023
@ South Park II (behind SAMCA)
20:00 – 21:00
Prodan Markov (BE/BG) – “Opening Speech” – intervention
Yanko Velkov – Yanec (BG) – “The Exorcism of Prodan Markov” – public space performance
Rayna Markova (BG) – “Pink incursion” – intervention

@ Gaba Bar (44 6th of September Str)
21:30 – 01:30
Dr. Somolo’s Afro Healing (HU) – DJ set
microise (BG) – DJ set

27/04/2023
@ Bobbina Space (5A Triaditsa Str)
19:00 – 23:00
Bahzad Sulaiman (DE/SY) – “Mobile and dynamic sculpture” – artist talk
Diana Gomez (BG) – “Experiment With Clay” – installation
Hana Magdoňová (CZ) – “Pachita” – performative lecture
publicvoidltd (BG) – sound performance

28/04/2023
@ Krasno Selo Municipal Cultural Institute (41 Tsar Boris III Blvd)
16:00 – 21:00
Dávid Somló (HU) – “Slow steps have ears” – public space sound installation

18:00-22:00
Boyan Avramov (BG) & Viktoria Nikolova (NL/BG) – “Лично и идеологогическо в|бреме” – durational performance
Kelvin Atmadibrata (ID) – “His Fishies Friends Are Sticking Around” – performance
Sylwia Hanff (PL) – “Wars.The Holy Blood of the Dreamers” – performance
The Purgatory – curated by Synaesthesia Collective
farewell thousands (BG) – “Gate” – audio-visual performance
Georgi P. Pavlov (BG) – “Bulgarian Prayers” – interactive performance
Kleiner Bach/ Малък Ручей (BG) – “Alas, wretch that I am” – interactive performance
Fashiongore (BG) – “Untitled” – live experimental set
Tenebris (BG) – “Itinerarium” – ambient performance set
Jana Orlová (CZ) & Maria Getova (BG) – poetry performance

Diana Bunkin (BG) – “Surrender” – installation
Bogomil Bratoev (BG) – “Le Petit Chaise du Guignol” – installation
Slava George (BG) – “Playtimе” – interactive sculpture
Stefan Hristov (UK/BG), Lia Liutakova (NL), Anton Keirouaz (UK/BG) – “Universal Textures” – video installation
Nikola Tsvetanov (BG) – “Game Lover” – installation
Tsvetomira Borisova (BG) – “Crystal Children” – drawings
Peter Chinovksy (BG) – “all persons fictitious disclaimer” – digital print, photo transfer
Roksana Markova (BG) – “Fantasía Final” – video
Janis Schroeder (DE) – “Abläufe einer Landschaft” – installation, photos, research-based video

@ Koncept Space (6 Nikola Vaptsarov Blvd)
23:00 – 07:00
Xïola Yin (SZ/TW) – audio performance
René Audiard (DE/US) – DJ set
Y.Unan (TR) – DJ set
Mrvux (FR) & Pomstar (BG) – live visuals

29.04.2023
@ Krasno Selo Municipal Cultural Institute (41 Tsar Boris III Blvd)
16:00 – 21:00
Dávid Somló (HU) – “Slow steps have ears” – public space sound installation

16:00 – 18:00
Boyan Avramov (BG) & Viktoria Nikolova (NL/BG) – “Лично и идеологогическо в|бреме” workshop & interactive performance

18:00 – 22:00
sai (BG) – sound performance
ImproWise Ensemble (BG) – sound performance
Jawhinge (BG) – sound performance
Jana Orlová (CZ) – “Black Transgression”
Cai Qing (SG/DE) – “Staying In Perfection” – durational performance
Marina Barsy Janer & Isil Sol Vil (ES) – “perpetual omens of poetry” – site-specific performance

30.04.2023
@ Bohemingway (17 Parchevich Str)
19:00 – 22:00
Liu Xue (DE/CH) – “Queen Ant” – site specific performance
Antoaneta Quick (BG) & Antonín Strantsouzin (BG/FR) – “Altar Eggo – Rituals of Ascension” – durational performance

Sofia Underground ?0?3

Ascension | 提升 | Възнесение 26 – 30 April 2023

PROGRAM

Ascension | 提升 | Възнесение

26 – 30 April 2023