Space21 Newsletter #2
Author: Duc Chu
What does an alternative cloud technology & media feed, or a student-run cafe built to uplift local artists, or a startup that makes bioplastic out of seaweed, have in common?
The word we use for that at Aalto University is "Radical Creativity" - a mindset that enables experimental activities which challenge the status quo. Read on to see what kind of creativity has been blossoming at Space21 this month!
a Space21 Tenant, in the Space21 annual surveyNo comparable space exists on campus!
COMMUNITY LIFE
This section describes how people have come together to contribute to the community life at Space21!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Alternative Media Feed Design: Collective Daydreaming + Crafting Workshop / Space 21 "Greenhouse"
Led by: Heya Kwon
At this workshop, we will discuss bodily and psychological experiences related to the media feed and design speculative and alternative media feed that allow play, rest, and care using drawings and clay. At the end of the workshop, we will demo our designs through speech and/or theatre.
Smoothies & Movies (October 2026)
The October round's "soft" theme is Found Footage.
The screening dates and movies are:
- 8.10 → The Blair Witch Project
- 15.10 → Noroi: The Curse
- 22.10 → Inland Empire
- 29.10 → Backrooms: Everything Must Go Edition
Space21 & TiLA! Open Doors - October 2026
What happens when creativity is given space to flourish?
Come and see Space 21 and TiLA! at the Aalto University campus! You will meet people and their creative projects in a cozy and lively atmosphere. While in Space 21 you will see amazing projects from Aalto University students, faculty and staff, in Tila you will get the chance to meet professional creatives at their work. At the same time, you can consider whether you would move to work at TiLA!
Exact programme will be updated later at this page.
Müge Yildiz at Sola Festival 2026
"The annual festival for experimental music and moving image returns to the speakers and cinema screen of WHS Teatteri Union for the 11th time! The festival is held on Friday 30th October and Saturday 31st October 2026.
...
Saturday evening starts with two short films by Müge Yildiz, whose practice explores experimental moving image through analogue film, installation, biological materials, and non-human processes."
- Teatteri Union, 2026.
🤔Corner of Radical Creativity💡
At Space21, we have upgraded our trash system from having only one recycling point to having little smaller-sized recycling bins for the most common trash types (carton, paper, plastic) in every single room. If an user want to put something into the mixed waste or biowaste bin, they can just go to the old recycling point in the kitchen!
By intentionally designing the trash system to nudge users to recycle first instead of putting everything into mixed waste, we uphold a high level of sustainability and responsibility at Space21. A simple fix, but a radical shift in mindset.
Would you like to try the same recycling system in your office/co-working space?
Subscribe to the Space21 Newsletter to know about the next newsletter!
Read more news
New professors join the School of Chemical Engineering
Meet the new professors at the School of Chemical Engineering, whose expertise spans research areas including sustainable microelectronics, pyrometallurgy, biomass refining, and advanced materials.
A summer job at Genelec led alum Sauli Norja to his dream job
For Sauli Norja, a summer job served as a gateway to his dream job. His work has continued after graduation at Genelec and as a sound engineer for Ellimei.
What did we gain at NORDEEP? Aalto researchers share takeaways from the deep-tech business summit
About 230 Aaltonians attended the NORDEEP 2026 deep-tech business summit. Key takeaways: events like this help researchers and students build networks, clarify ideas, and gain confidence on the innovation path.