An invitation to walk and listen to Berlin Westkreuz
It is a sunny day in spring. Against the droning sea of cars, birdsong tells a quieter story. It is a story about our shared ecosystem, a story that is frequently overheard, but also one of perseverance. Bees, Linden and soil bear witness to the human-made transformations around them – some big and some small. A garden fence vibrates softly in the wind; meanwhile, a radio announces the latest pop song. We continue walking, our ears attuned to our surroundings…
Soundtrackcity invites you to walk and tune into the sounds of Berlin Westkreuz – an area known best as a rail transport node in the West of Berlin. Yet contrary to popular perception – and despite the ambitions of certain political actors and real- estate developers – the pockets created by the crisscrossing of highways, roads, railway and metro tracks are home to a multitude of human and non-human beings whose precarious voices deserve to be heard. Some of these interstices are left to their own devices, while others are maintained by gardeners in an allotment community.
Guided by long-term visitor and listener Michiel Huijsman, we wander to collectively inquire into the multitude of sonic thresholds created by the unique conditions at Westkreuz. We look forward to hearing (from) you.
(approx. 2 hours’ walk + 1 hour’s discussion)
