CCB Magazine

Léna Szirmay-Kalos: "Vivid and energetic"

Photo: © Barbara Antal

MMpraxis is a curatorial platform that organizes events and exhibitions at the intersection of dance, performance and visual arts in Berlin. Léna Szirmay-Kalos is one of the co-founders of the platform. She is part of the Berlin delegation for the “Malá inventura international festival of new theatre“ at Prague. Here we introduce her shortly.

CCB Magazine: Hello, Léna Szirmay-Kalos. Could you please describe your work? What exactly do you do? What is your artistic background?

Léna Szirmay-Kalos: Hello. My name is Léna Szirmay-Kalos, I’m a co-founder of MMpraxis’ curatorial platform and the artistic director of the Montag Modus performance series. MMpraxis organizes events and exhibitions at the intersection of dance, performance and visual arts in various independent locations in Berlin. Montag Modus is an interdisciplinary event series that features multiple performances and time-based works. Last year, for instance, the performance series presented Hungarian and Berlin-based artists; this year the project invites Berlin-based and Czech artists from both visual and performing arts to present their work. Each year has a different thematic focus: in 2020 we look at practices of attention and see how artists in their respective field deal and react to the so-called attention economy. 

Fotos © Barbara Antal

CCB Magazine:This year you are part of the Berlin-Prague delegation for the "Malá inventura international festival of new theatre" in Prague. What do you expect from this exchange? What is the added value of such a trip?

Léna Szirmay-Kalos: I’m looking forward to meet new artists, see performances and learn more about the Czech performing arts scene. Our program for the Montag Modus event in Prague is not finalized yet, therefore I’m curious to see as many works as possible and potentially invite artists to be part of one of the Montag Modus events. 

Berlin has one of the most vivid and energetic dance and performing arts scenes that I’ve ever experienced. The Montag Modus performance series is one of the meeting points for this scene

CCB Magazine:What do you know about Prague and the art and culture scene there? What do you want to get to know?

Léna Szirmay-Kalos: I came to Malá invetura last year and saw many works, but still would like to get to know more about the performing arts scene of Prague. 

Fotos © Barbara Antal

CCB Magazine:Berlin's dance and theatre scene is characterized by the independent scene, off-theatres and niche diversity. If you had to introduce Berlin as a location for the performing arts to someone in Prague, what would you tell them?

Léna Szirmay-Kalos: I would say that Berlin has a very exciting and vivid dance and performing arts scene. Every night you can go and see a different show. The city is a great hub for choreography of any kind and is a front runner in the discourse between choreography and the visual arts. The Montag Modus performance series is one of the meeting points for this scene.

Category: Articles from our network