stimmen über berlin*
Think of the hustle and bustle of Alexanderplatz - all those passing people, trams, punks, hot dog sellers, lottery callers, buskers and religious preachers. In such a noisy place what would it be like to be able to hear the stories and thoughts of the people around you?
In this hub of activity and transport interchange are a plethora of people whose relationship to the place vary anywhere from those who know its history and cultural signifance to the bewildered tourists stumbling upon it for the first time.
Stimmen über Berlin is the realisation of a dream of peeling back the layers of a city, accessing those stories, those events that remain undocumented, the happenings and thoughts that shape people's everyday experience.
Using GPS technology and portable computing, generously lent by Mobile Bristol, plan b invites you to wander around Alexanderplatz with fresh ears, listening to the memories, stories, thoughts and associations of the people who have trod those pavements before you, some of whom are standing next to you right now.
You can add your stories too - throughout the week plan b will be in Alexanderplatz interviewing people and adding each contribution to the project. The soundscape will develop and grow to become a layering of voices that will float over Alexanderplatz, adding to the Stimmen über Berlin
Images from our action to illustrate the project with people's thoughts written on large signs. Thank you to all who participated. David, Hannah, Katie, Eva, Andreas, Lito, William, Nina, Nick, Miranda and Kathrin. Thank you to Stuart Martin, Constance Fleuriot and the team at Mobile Bristol for being so generous with equipment and advice.
*Voices over Berlin. A play on the original German title of Wim Wenders' film 'Himmel über Berlin', Skies/Heaven over Berlin better known to English speakers as 'Wings of Desire'