in transformation - Research project on the Detmold neighbourhood around Adenauer Strasse

The project ‘in transformation’ is the continuation of TheatreFragile's long-standing engagement with the Detmold district around Adenauer Straße. In a 3-month research phase between February and April 2022, Marianne Cornil from TheatreFragile will explore the local history through interviews, research and sound recordings.

Context: TheatreFragile already interviewed this location in 2014 for the audio walk ‘OUT OF BOUNDS, GEHschichten eines Stadtteils’. At that time, the families of the British Army were quartered there. It was also about neighbouring initiatives and communities, including the Russian-German community. For the production ‘Wir treffen uns im Paradies’, TheatreFragile made recordings in the buildings, which were converted into a central accommodation facility of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (ZUE) until 2016. Refugees as well as staff and volunteers had their say. The buildings are currently being demolished, the city is planning a creative neighbourhood and the first initiatives such as an artists' collective are trying things out. This place is exemplary for transformation spaces* in Germany (a transformation space is a neighbourhood that will change significantly by 2030). The Berlin Strategy states: ‘In the transformation spaces, public and private investments are bringing about significant changes today or in the near future, which create a particular need for action and require support.’ The research is regarded as preparation for a further project on the location.
Approach: I will sift through the archives of audio recordings made as part of projects with TheatreFragile and sort them thematically, as well as conduct interviews with current actors. I will invite people who have left the neighbourhood to look back.

Interview excerpts and sound recordings can be heard on the geolocalised map MAPPING TheatreFragile on the website.

A research project supported by the Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media as part of NEUSTART KULTUR (#takeheart)