Listening as an urban strategy of resistance

(Informal) conversations have long been devalued, especially those of women. Even though the term gossip is derived from the old english godsibb which meant a close female friend. Godsibbs were connected by a kinship of trust in which they were able to share their true thoughts and feelings and support each other, free from the restrictive expectations of patriarchal societies. The same principle is repeated in other languages: commérage (French), dedikodu (Turkish) or Klatsch (German) have a negative connotation despite their sociability. This research project reflects on gossiping as an urban spatial practice and reclaims its value as bottom-up agent for community weaving, transfor­mation, and resistance.
fem_arc shows gossip stories from the immediate neighborhood of the SP*TI. Through field research and interviews, an image of the Rollbergviertel is created that captures diverse perspectives, is informed by the knowledge of various actors in the neighborhood and involves businesses, residents and visitors alike.