Islands of Change confronts the polycrisis – planetary collapse, genocide, war, tech-fascism, and growing authoritarianism – that increasingly leaves us at a loss in the face of the challenges it presents. Co-curated by Julian Rieken with Residenties in Utrecht and Gaudeamus, this long-term initiative asks: How do we reclaim our ‘response-ability’? How do we mobilize our (hyper)local ‘islands’ of artistic action to counteract rigid hierarchies, and in so doing, forge vibrant currents of solidarity?

In its first year, the project unfolds as a sonic exhibition during the festival across various locations in and around de Lange Nieuwstraat, featuring five installations and performative pieces, lectures, panels and workshops. Among these, two works emerged from a ten-day residency selected through an open call. Artists, researchers, and local initiatives will gather to collectively amplify (hyper)local agency as a fractal of systemic change – tuning insular communities into resonant and relational networks of polyphonic possibilities.

More details shortly!

Photo: Helena Majewska