Loading is an artist-run space in Diyarbakir, Turkey that aims to enrich contemporary art dialogue in the city and foster links between the region and the international art world. Loading engages with its community by its public programme which consists of artist & curator talks and workshops, as well as its art book library. Previous guest speakers include Gabi Ncgobo (curator, 10th Berlin Biennale), Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli (curator, Manifesta 12), and Hale Tenger (artist). Loading also has an ongoing archival project of archiving contemporary art practices in Diyarbakir.
Loading was founded by artists Erkan Özgen, Cengiz Tekin and Şener Özmen. What started out as a project to connect with and mentor younger artists evolved into a platform that breeds new perspectives to the ways not only artists but also locals of other professions situate art making. Loading fosters a strong sense of community and garners contemporary art not just more approachable but also far more intertwined with this community.
