2.1

THEY BUILT!
SIE BAUTEN!
AUDIO VISUAL PERFORMANCE (2022)

The audiovisual performance was part of the forum TOUR DE NOUVELLE SUISSE – MEIN POSTMIGRANTISCHES BASEL, which took place on 22 October 2022, at the Kaserne Basel. Together with the collective Schwarzenbach Komplex, which I am an active member of, we performed the piece Not the Same Procedure!

The performance questioned the notion of authorship in architecture, intertwining it with a broader narrative of historical structural discrimination against migrant workers who played a pivotal role in constructing Switzerland’s modern built environment and infrastructure. Often, we hear phrases like "this architect built this, and that architect built that," where a single male architect is credited for the entire construction. This perspective diminishes the recognition of other vital contributors, especially the construction workers whose essential labor forms the backbone of the building process.

The language we employ extends beyond mere description; it profoundly influences our thought structures and perception of the world. To deconstruct the verb bauen [Eng: to build], the video work involves conjugating it in all possible forms, strategically inserting question marks, and delibertaly misconjugating sentences. This intentional linguistic disruption prompts viewers to reflect on the verb itself—considering its meaning, associations, and their own usage. This immersive audio-visual experience invites viewers to ponder the essential question: who truly builds the city? they built!