Stretching thresholds, holding streams

Stretching thresholds, holding streams is a project initiated by Jeanne van Heeswijk and developed with Sophie Mak-Schram and collaborators. A growing constellation of invested people from the surroundings of the Museum were invited to think in and with the museum's thresholds, as "streams". More details on the project as a whole here: https://migrosmuseum.ch/en/exhibitions/an-der-schwelle-des-museums-2
 

Listening Walk

This podcast is based on a Listening Walk that took place on October 26, 2024, in Kreis 5, Zürich. The walk was part of the project Stretching Thresholds, Holding Streams initiated by Jeanne van Heeswijk and Sophie Mak-Schram with the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst. It was led by Vicky, Etienne, and Carla—three individuals who met at Feministisches Streikhaus Zürich. Together, they think about the gentrification of their neighborhood and their personal relationship with the city.

The Listening Walk was divided into three parts:

1. It began with a collective brainstorming session about how the sounds of the city have changed over time and through various development processes.
2. Vicky then guided everyone into silence with a meditation to focus on the sounds of the body and the city.
3. For the final part, participants went on individual drifts through the city, following the sounds that caught their attention. 
   
   This podcast will revisit the experience of the Listening Walk and feature samples of the sounds recorded during it. At the end of the show, you’ll be invited to leave your home and go on your own Listening Walk. 
   
   Embodied Orchestra – November 30, 2024 
   
   The recordings from the Listening Walk were later used by Stadt Orchester for the Embodied Orchestra. Embodied Orchestra was a collective exploration of gentrification through movement and sound, that was part of the project Stretching Thresholds, Holding Streams. It took place at three different locations near Kreis 5. 
   
   The event began with another Listening Walk through the district. Inspired by these impressions, the Stadt Orchester improvised music based on the sounds of the city. Attendees were invited to become part of the Embodied Orchestra through movement and sound. 
   
   The experiment was complemented by visuals from Lukas Mattys, using archival images and videos of Kreis 5 and its development over the centuries. The following sequence is a recording of Embodied Orchestra at WIM (Werkstatt für Improvisierte Musik), Zürich, from November 30, 2024.