SOUND PROJECT
December 20th 2022
The Sound Project is an extraordinary artistic endeavor that elicits a profound response within me. Its mesmerizing presence and thought-provoking nature leave an indelible impression. Positioned meticulously, the project utilizes strategically placed loudspeakers to communicate a message that resonates deeply.
In this culture and society, the use of loudspeakers is often forbidden for women, further silencing their voices and perpetuating gender inequalities. However, the Sound Project challenges these social norms by daring to amplify the voice of a woman. It bravely confronts the cultural barriers and restrictions placed upon women, seeking to dismantle the very systems that suppress their expressions and perspectives.
Through the captivating and hauntingly beautiful voice emanating from the speakers, the project serves as a powerful symbol of defiance and resistance. It exposes the injustice of denying women the opportunity to be heard, and serves as a call to action to break free from the constraints of patriarchal traditions.
As I stand in the presence of this impactful installation, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of empathy and admiration for the courage it embodies. The Sound Project not only creates an immersive experience for its audience, but it also shines a light on the urgent need to challenge and dismantle gender-based restrictions that hinder the full expression and participation of women in society. It stands as a testament to the power of art in challenging cultural norms and advocating for greater gender equality and empowerment.
The Voice was a work of art comprising a series of loudspeakers placed in four cities - Sulaimani, Halabja, Ranya, and Chamchamal - in a male-dominated country. The work consisted of a woman's voice delivering a message to her country, a message of peace and non-violent resistance. This voice represented the suppressed voices of women in the country, including those of children, young people, and the elderly, whose voices were often not heard even within their own homes. The message of the work addressed the difficulties and hardships faced by girls and women in Kurdish society due to the backwardness and devaluation of females within that society. It served as a wake-up call for society, a call for a conversation and reflection on the marginalised position of women. The work was presented at three different times on a single day in each of the four cities.
THE MESSAGE:
"That is me speaking. I want to say that I am every murdered girl, every immolated girl, every female you have trapped within your walls. Today I come screaming, screaming - can you hear my voice? Every day I want to speak, and no one listens. I am lost, lost in your money-making world, in the chaos of your families. Am I weak? Am I a source of sin? I am the girl buried alive. I am the nameless grave. I am the child bride. I am the fully grown, natural girl. I am the immolated girl. I am the murdered girl. I am the imprisoned daughter in your homes. You have made me a commodity that you remake every day by shrinking and expanding my body and face. I am not your sofa or furniture. Mother, I know your heart is full and you have been silenced. I was alone, unloved, disappointed. In the name of shame, you have wrapped us in hundreds of meters of cloth. You will move us from these four walls to those four walls. Yet I am still the greatest sinner and Satan's closest friend, and you are the believer and closest to God. I am the power you did not think of. You executioners will not be ashamed, you tyrants - who are you? I am the unheard female voice. I am the voice of the hearts of all females." - Tara Abdullah's complaint letter.