KUD Mreža Arts and Culture Association

Established in 1997 at Metelkova mesto Autonomous Cultural Zone, the army barracks-turned-cultural complex located in the centre of Ljubljana, KUD Mreža (KUD Network) initially engaged primarily in visual arts projects there, but later also took over the organisation of other activities. Nowadays it carries out a wide range of activities, including fundraising, not only for its members, but also for the whole of Metelkova mesto and sometimes beyond it (especially in the field of mediating information). Since 2003, KUD Mreža has been managing the renovations of buildings within ACC Metelkova Mesto with the support of the Ljubljana City Council.

Core projects

KUD Mreža organises cultural events (international festivals such as the International Feminist and Queer Festival Red Dawns, and guest appearances in Slovenia and abroad), operates Alkatraz Gallery (contemporary art exhibitions, performances), runs art auctions (known for the witty remarks of the auctioneer) and organises art workshops (painting, graphic art, sculpture, metal sculpture, etc.) and also manages a photographic archive (photographic, audio and video materials of and regarding Metelkova mesto and the events occurring there).

The "Urban Art Projects" [Urbani likovni projekti] are devoted to the renovations and art exhibitions in public spaces at Metelkova mesto, such as creating and arranging Hajlends Park at Metelkova mesto, making mosaics, etc.

Together with the Society for the Protection of Atheistic Feelings (DZAČ) it converted the Metelkova mesto venue Klub Menza pri koritu into a popular club that hosts concerts, events and workshops by local and international musicians, performers, artists, and more.

Since 2010 KUD Mreža organises Personal–Collective Festival of improvised music and also other genres, theatre, performances, dance and visual art by many Slovene and international artists (for example, Neža Naglič, Julij Borštnik, Ryuzo Fukuhara, Eric Cordier, Seijiro Murayama, Annette Krebs).

International cooperation

KUD Mreža participates in international co-operation and together with ACC Metelkova holds a membership in Trans Europe Halles, a European Network of Independent Cultural Centres.

Since 2007 the association manages an artist-in-residence programme (Atelje Azil - Studio Asylum) intended for artists from different disciplines. So far it has hosted 8 artists from different countries, including Croatia, France, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, and Norway.

KUD Mreža is the Slovene host for the international project La caravane des dix mots that takes place in more than 40 countries world-wide.

External links

Gallery

Alkatraz Gallery, interior, 2009

Alkatraz Gallery, established in 1996 as an artist run space, located in Metelkova mesto Autonomous Cultural Zone, Ljubljana

Tomaž Tomažin, V čast klobuku [In honour of the hat], light box, detail, in the Tomaž Tomažin and Damijan Kracina / Serious players exhibition, curated by Jadranka Ljubičič, Alkatraz Gallery, 2010

Naoko Mashiba dance concert at Asylum Studio, KUD Mreža, 2016

The Revolting Women Social Workers present their calendar I Want My Part Of The History! at the Metelkova mesto Autonomous Cultural Zone, A - Infoshop, in the scope of the International Feminist and Queer Festival Red Dawns in 2014