Colliding Cultures: Experimental Russian Techno in the Heart of Soviet Yerevan

I haven't been to many concerts in my life. In fact, I have never actually attended a big concert event. Here and there I have stumbled into the odd place featuring some sort of life music, but I'd say that's about it. So, truthfully, I don't really know what to expect from the majority of them. And I would even go as far as saying I'm not really the type of person to enjoy such environments in the first place. I think recently my more outgoing side is flourishing, newfound motivation and a huge pursuit into the things I enjoy, mostly creative endeavours. And these lead me to areas of the world I never assumed I would be in, to the point in which I feel more willing to meet people; more engaged with cameras and finding new ways to interact with people through them. Photography is something I never grow tired of, but it is something that I have felt I have preferences in. It seems to be opening up a bit more lately as I find people more interesting to capture, the stories of life from various little events that take place at every moment in time around us.

This sudden event was located in the heart of Yerevan at the Edvard Isabekyan gallery. It appears that recently the basement has undergone some changes, where it is pretty much empty and unused.  A group of general artists appear to have taken a liking to this space and decided to try to revive it a little with various events. There's a sign on the outside that details an interest in the arts, calling for creatives to come together in this space. I admire the dedication to pursue something like this, to try to revive something in a space that is simply left to rot. This building is part of the Soviet era brutalism that swept through the republics of the Soviet Union, a highly interesting design in the centre of Yerevan that sticks out. A space I have walked by countless times but never actually ventured inside. This is where cultures collide, a mixture of the Soviet dream, the changes of Yerevan over the decades. The mixing of old and new in this city is oddly fascinating as the Russian influence somewhat creeps in, remaining a bit hidden from view for the most part, but certainly there. 

The basement was dark, mostly empty, and definitely quite chilly. It seemed like an event was taking place in a space that we didn't necessarily have permission to be in. That sort of event that takes place in films where a group of people meet at some abandoned location and pursue their odd niche interests. One of the funniest things was how this event had a lot of vegetables on display for the audience to enjoy. It appears there was also some alcoholic options, some types of wine and some beer that sat in a bucket on the floor. The space was barely lit, about two or three lights in the entire room. Mostly focused in the centre in which the DJ had set up his gear, one ladder with a light attached aimed downward at the vegetables. Experimental techno and nutrition, I guess! At this point, nothing was really happening. At the moment arrival, it seemed it was still very early on, some basic setting up and preparation. A very loud microphone blasting some Russian words into the room that I simply could not understand in the slightest. My Russian isn't that great, but in general microphones tend to just end up being nothing but white noise to me.

A fifteen minute break took place shortly after. The DJ continued to slap the odd note or two on his weird device. I had the feeling that he was just testing things, messing around and preparing for the main event once everyone came back in. Once that break had ended and a larger number of people began to flood into the space again, it did give the feeling that something was about to start. But to say I was wrong is an understatement. Nothing really did happen. Nothing really did take off. No techno music was really played, and the DJ just sort of continued to awkwardly slap away at his little device that gave of simple notes here and there. I had the suspicion that he didn't really know what he was doing, and sort of hoped that eventually some beat would kick in or perhaps a Spotify playlist would take over. I looked around and noticed everyone just standing around a bit awkwardly. A few interesting individuals somehow found rhythm in what was being played and tried their strange methods of dancing. I felt so insanely lost. I decided it was best to give things a few more minutes, the assumption that things were still picking up, a bit of a tease before things got lively.

It didn't take too long, but eventually the decision was made to leave. The realisation that things were not going to improve, nor would the scene gain in its liveliness. I've come to expect this from certain events in Yerevan. The feeling that things are only given half interest. A feeling of laziness in which something is prepared and the idea is great, but the execution is just heavily underwhelming. I think this space could have a ton of opportunity to be something that brings a lot of different people together, but it has to grow beyond the idea of what it considers experimental, and start bringing in some actual interest. The whole colliding of various cultures and histories was something incredibly interesting. I feel I may keep an eye on the space and see how it develops, but from an experience perspective, it was a total waste of time. Still a fun experience from a photography perspective. But for entertainment, it just didn't cut it.