Using Karlsruhe as an example, “Whose Stories” by the academic assistant Vera Gärtner (exhibition design and scenography) and the HfG-Alumni Mio Kojima and Hanna Müller asks who is remembered in the context of urban (hi)stories — and who is not.

In a digital map, a row of audio works makes tangible and discusses who is given visibility and under what circumstances. While critically examining what already exists, the collection aims to retell and broaden prevailing stories and give space to experiences and memories that are invisible in dominant urban remembrance.

The sound pieces tell how demonstrations in Karlsruhe—for example on March 8—take feminist struggles to the streets; projects by Karlsruhe`s cultural practitioners give space to underrepresented stories through documentary mediation and personal narratives; soundscapes and walking instructions invite for sensual engagement; interviews with archivists and historians engage with those who are currently visible; and voices from Karlsruhe and beyond shed a critical light on current archiving and historiographic practices.

As an incomplete compendium, the collection captures empowering moments, gives space to personal memories, and discusses social relations. It is a critical contribution and a joyful extension to archiving, documenting, and collecting practices, as well as a plea for deep listening and respectful curiosity, for asking questions and opening up space. Above all, however, “Whose Stories” is meant to be one string in a web that must be constantly woven.

With contributions by: Susanne Asche, Vanessa Bosch, Mélanie Cao, Jaya Demmer, Mascha Dilger, Katrin Dort, Feministisches Kollektiv Karlsruhe e.V. (FKK), Flâneusen, Vera Gärtner, seraina maria kober, Hanna Müller, Annette Niesyto, Hanna Scherwinski, Josefine Scheu, Volker Steck und Leia Walz.

https://www.whose-stories.com/

The project is part of the exhibition Media Art is here of the UNESCO City of Media Arts Karlsruhe: https://www.cityofmediaarts.de/de/werke/whose-stories-2024/