Refugees United receives Award of Distinction at Prix Ars Electronica, Austria
Linz, Austria – The annual Ars Electronica Festival opened on Wednesday, 4th of September, at LENTOS Kunstmuseum in the city of Linz in Austria. Ars Electronica is a platform for artists, designers, architects, scholars and media professionals from 70 countries.
The five-day festival takes place at various cultural institutions in Linz, such as the world-renowned Ars Electronica Center, Brucknerhaus, and the LENTOS Kunstmuseum. This year’s theme, Total Recall: Evolution of Memory, looks at the myriad of ways technology is changing society, culture and the human brain.
On the recommendation of the Prix Ars Electronica Jury, Refugees United was granted an Award of Distinction in the category “Digital Communities.” All winning projects were highlighted at a special gala at Brucknerhaus, where Golden Nica statuettes were bestowed upon the prizewinners.
Speakers included Austrian politicians, such as Barbara Prammer, President of the National Council of Austria, Klaus Luger, Vice-mayor of Linz, Doris Hummer, Member of the Upper Austrian Government, as well as the directors of Ars Electronica, Gerfried Stocker and Christine Schöpf.
“Having our work to reconnect refugee families recognized by our outstanding peers within the Prix Ars community is a phenomenal achievement, and one we’re very proud of, ”said Christopher Mikkelsen, co-founder of Refugees United.
The Digital Communities category honors outstanding and distinguished examples of digital communities with a social impact. Refugees United receives 5000 EURO.
The Ars Electronica Festival features exhibitions, talks, workshops, live performances and digital art. Several projects reflect on data – how it is stored, formed and modified.
Ida Jeng, Communication Manager of Refugees United, participated in a session on Digital Communities, which took place at the Prix Forum at OÖ Kulturquartier in Linz. During her remarks, Ms. Jeng stressed the need to connect disconnect refugee families separated by war, conflict and disaster:
“This festival is a testament to communities, and their ability to spur social change.”
Ms. Jeng kicked off the talk with a screening of Refugees United’s new animation movie, Estelle’s Story. Refugees United’s award-winning video Lost and Found was also screened at the festival.
Prix Ars Electronica was established in 1987.
FURTHER INFO:
- Ida Jeng, Communication Manager, Refugees United
- + 45 31 49 31 93 / ij@refunite.org
