Searching for Parrots was developed as part of the education and mediation program of Manifesta 9. As an exhibition visitor and/or Genk inhabitant the soundwalk takes you through a part of the Waterschei Garden City. The Garden City, with its utopic infrastructure, is a melting pot of cultures. It was originally built for those who came to work at the former Waterschei coal mine. Since the mines were closed in 1987 this area has been as lively as back then. This will undoubtedly become clear during the walk.

Searching for Parrots is an experience that takes you into the Waterschei Garden city. The soundwalk was based on the concept of artist Lauren Alexander in collaboration with the young photographers from Zwiep, a social and artistic center in Waterschei, and Tim Vos, intern at Manifesta 9. The stories and experiences of the youngsters, field recordings, and Zwiep's 20 year photographic archive were used as ingredients to create this walk. During a four month process, the group investigated the possibilities of using a photographic archive in an auditive or narrative form based on interviews and investigations with inhabitants of Waterschei. Searching for Parrots gives you an inside view of the cultural and social identity of this region, based on personal stories and little-known urban legends.

The soundwalk takes about 45 minutes. It starts and ends at the former mine building in Waterschei. Audio tracks can be downloaded and listened to on your own mobile or you can borrow an audio player from the Mediation Meeting Point on the first floor. The soundwalk will be available for the duration of Manifesta 9 from June 2 until September 30, 2012.

English: http://manifesta9.org/en/searching_for_parrots/

 Dutch: http://manifesta9.org/nl/op_zoek_naar_papegaaien/

http://manifesta9.org/en/manifesta-9/

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