Klang- und Redezeichen / Sound and Speech Marks

Jewish author Esther Dischereit and Viennese composer Dieter Kaufmann’s installation Sound and Speech Marks is located on Eichengrünplatz in the Dülmen city center. The acoustic artwork creates an audible representation of the every day lives of Jewish citizens, as well as their matter of course cohabitation with non-Jews. Triggered by a motion sensor, anyone who sits on the benches can hear short audio plays, such as conversational sounds, street names, or recipes that all last up to three minutes. There are fifteen sequences in total and they are selected randomly selected when the sensor is triggered. Once a day, one of the sequences can be heard throughout the entire square.
The installation calls for active engagement with the subject of “Jewish life in Dülmen.” Any passerby can listen to the audio files, but no one is required. The artist consciously decided against a special sign or explanation of the installation; its function is meant to become clear through people watching and talking about it, or through media distribution. The Esther Dischereit’s multimedia publication Before the High Holy Days The House was Full of Whisperings and Rustlings! and a project-related website were created alongside the installation.

Additional information: www.eichengruen-platz.de