Our stories
Sound installation, 2003 and 2009
Our Stories is a multi-media audio installation, crafted in collaboration with community youth, featuring narratives from a culturally diverse group of high school students. The visual centerpiece of the installation consists of five small houses interconnected by black electrical cords, symbolizing lifelines. The design is minimalist, emphasizing the auditory experience of the diverse voices of the youth, presented in their native languages.
Each house is equipped with a sound system that plays a story in a specific language. The youth participants penned personal stories and recorded them in their original languages, which are then broadcasted through these sound systems. Complementing the audio experience is a video featuring the students and a wall displaying their stories in print, adding visual layers to the installation.
Visitors can listen to the voices collectively or individually, discovering different linguistic combinations with each encounter. While not all languages may be understood by every viewer, the installation offers a rich experience of linguistic diversity and the potential for peaceful coexistence.
Funded by California Council for the Humanities and the City of Neuchâtel
