The people of … Recklinghausen Süd

Co-production with Quarantine, Manchester

Open the audio file here: https://www.mobile.thepeopleof...

„The people of ...“ is an audio walk, composed for and from Bochumer Straße, a street in Recklinghausen South - an intersection of everyday life, a place where people and realities cross and converge. Created from conversations with ten people who work along the central 1km stretch of Bochumer Straße, and, of course, the postman who knows every door, The people of is a mixtape curated from fragments of their lives. There are people who have been here a long time, and those who have just arrived; people who have citizenship here in Germany and people who - through choice or circumstance - do not. We asked them how they ended up here, and why they stay; about nationalism, neighbourliness and plans for tomorrow…

The tailor who learnt his craft at age 11, the chicken shop owner who is afraid of heights, the tattoo artist who has inked workers all along the street, the bookshop owner who can’t imagine living anywhere else, and the postman who travelled for more than twenty days to get here…

„The people of ...“ is made by Manchester-based artist ensemble Quarantine, who spent four weeks as temporary residents and workers in Recklinghausen South - not from here, but here for now. Held by an original score from Cologne-based sound artist Julian Stetter, this sonic portrait of Bochumer Straße is designed to be listened to as you walk along the street where all of these people work.

During opening hours, a book documenting who we spoke to and every question we asked is available to view at the end of the walk at Britts Bücherforum, Bochumer Straße 137. The book also contains Turkish and Arabic translations of the audio.

„The people of ...“ asks questions about belonging, permanence, and who this place - any place - is for. The audio walk is a fixed route with individual stations to listen to in Recklinghausen South. There is no time limit for the walk. It can be done at any time with your own internet-enabled smartphone or tablet and headphones. You will find all the information about the route, the individual stations and the audio files here soon.