On the weekend of October 4 and 5, Moussem organized a social-artistic workshop weekend for kids & teenagers from the neighborhood around Lemmensplein in Kuregem. The workshops were led by Serkan Aka, an artist from Istanbul who is internationally known for his work with sound sculptures created from recycled materials.
A small but curious and motivated group, ranging in age from 8 to 17, got to work with plastic materials to make their own air flutes or pump flutes. Language barriers proved to be no obstacle, but rather an added value: through French, Turkish, and English, everyone had the beautiful challenge of making themselves understood and finding each other through translation. The emphasis was not on musicality, but on experimenting with sound, creativity, using tools, and above all: having fun. The workshop with Aka was a warm, creative, and connecting experience for the kids, the parents or supervisers present, and for Aka himself. The weekend proved to be a great setting for the kids to experiment with sound and materials, to work together with a professional artist, and to exchange ideas about art and being an artist in different (national) contexts.
This activity is part of Moussem's new community program, in which we aim to create lasting connections between Moussem and the neighborhood through participatory projects with a special focus on young people. Through word of mouth and local partner organizations such as Rézolutions, Kuumba, and Prévention Jeunesse, we want to bring children and young adults together in art experiencing, educational, and empowering encounters with our residents.
For the artists, it offers an opportunity to translate their practice into non-institutional contexts and less traditional target groups, in exchanges that are equally enriching and inspiring for them.
ABOUT SERKAN AKA
A. Serkan Aka (1982, Isparta, Turkey) is an Istanbul-based artist with a background in industrial engineering from Boğaziçi University. His multidisciplinary practice spans illustration, collage, installation, sound design, and music. Known for creating innovative sound installations and instruments from everyday objects, Aka collaborates on performances, workshops, and sound-based projects. He is a member of Buluntu Sesler and performs with Tophane Noise Band.
Aka’s work has featured in the Istanbul Design Biennial, Ökorausch Festival (Germany), and exhibitions like A Polyphonic Garden. His debut solo show Skybound opened at Schneider Tempel Art Center in 2024.
For Moussem Cities Istanbul, Serkan realized the exhibition Buralarda bir yerde / Somewhere around here, curated by Amira Akbıyıkoğlu. Link
Images © Moussem. Do not reproduce without authorization.
