The Balassi Institute Hungarian Cultural Centre London is contributing to this year’s International Architecture and Design Showcase with its unique ZOO-TOPIA project, which comprises a symposium, a screening of short films and a publication launch the ZSL London Zoo on 21 September 2012.

The ZOO-TOPIA project brings together internationally recognised artists, architects and academics from the fields of architectural and design histories to survey the Modernist architectural heritage of zoological gardens from diverse viewpoints. Zoos are also considered in relation to the city, as places of fantasy and escape in the modern city.

The ZOO-TOPIA publication features newly commissioned work by artists and architects as well as classical pieces around the theme of zoos.The symposium and the publication explore zoos as sites of national representation and a showcase of modernist architecture within zoological gardens with a special focus on the Budapest and London Zoos, and the work of the Hungarian architect Károly Kós.

The New Architecture and the London Zoo (1936) by László Moholy-Nagy is one of the highlights of the screening, which feature the theme of zoos, cities and wild life, architectural display and spectatorship.

ZOO-TOPIA Symposium and Film Screening

Friday 21 September, 10.00am – 7.00pm

Huxley Theatre, ZSL London ZooOuter Circle, Regents Park

London NW1 4RY

ZOO-TOPIA Publication Launch

Friday 21 September, 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Bartlett Room, ZSL London ZooOuter Circle, Regents Park

London NW1 4RY

All events are free but booking is essential.To RSVP or to request a press ticket please contact the Hungarian Cultural Centre at bookings@hungary.org.uk

Curated by Eszter Steierhoffer, ZOO-TOPIA is commissioned and organised by the Balassi Institute Hungarian Cultural Centre London in partnership with the Royal College of Art and the ZSL London Zoo with the support of the Budapest Zoo.