This summer at SculptureCenter (just next to MoMA PS1) you’ll find one of the most unusual, provocative, and talked-about exhibitions in New York — Spasial Program by Khajistan.
An Archive of the Forbidden
Spasial Program by Khajistan is an exhibition-archive of forbidden, censored, and little-known audiovisual and print materials from across the Persian world — including Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and more broadly, the Maghreb (North Africa).
Founded by Saad Khan, Khajistan has grown over just a few years into a massive digital archive containing more than 85,000 photographs and videos.
Its physical collection features vintage films, posters, magazines, behind-the-scenes footage, and rare artifacts from the history of Pakistani cinema — along with publications in Urdu, Farsi, and Arabic that long ago disappeared from shelves, plus military posters and propaganda prints.
Preserving Erased Voices
The exhibition’s mission is to preserve the cultural voices of marginalized communities — those that have been lost, silenced, or pushed aside in global media culture.
But this show isn’t only about the nostalgic VHS aesthetics, old magazine covers, or posters of dancers. It’s also about how the global internet — through algorithms and censorship — can erase entire cultural histories.
Visitor Info
Dates: June 19 – July 28
Location: SculptureCenter / 44-19 Purves St, Long Island City — next to MoMA PS1
Admission: Free
Special feature: Every Sunday, the Khajistan Bazaar takes place here — a pop-up market where visitors can find rare artifacts, reproductions, and limited-edition merch.
