Space21 is for promoting contemporary music, experimental, electronics, noise, free improvisation, and sound art in Kurdistan. Since 2017, Space21 organised sound exhibitions and concerts in the city of Slemani, presenting works by national and international artists in public spaces. Space21’s vision is to promote sound art for audiences by using public spaces as an artistic arena. Moreover, Space21’s goal is to explore new perspectives on the culture of everyday life through sound. By focusing on listening, Space21 aims to open possibilities for audiences to have new experiences of the places where they live and work, nurturing new understandings of modern society and its struggles.
A brief history of Space 21; this exhibition started in 2017 when I went back to Kurdistan with my own audio equipment. I wanted to experiment by presenting sound art and contemporary art including video art, in various public spaces in Slemani and Erbil. The artworks were by various local and international artists. After this event I realised that there is a crucial need for this art form in our culture; to think through sound and listening. This approach motivated me to start with the idea of Space 21.
Founder and Curator
Hardi Kurda