In modern cities, the flexible dynamics of population movement and structures responding to local history, economy, and politics often result in the frequent presence of mobile figures in our daily lives. Over time, these figures not only represent people who migrate for survival but also include second and third-generation immigrants who develop a sense of belonging to the local area and a nostalgic connection to their homeland. Geographically, the distances travelled and the cultural and linguistic aspects of urban areas shape different forms of migration and settlement. How do we define the ‘subjectivity of mobile communities‘ and their establishment of relationships and belonging in urban public and private spaces?

The project, “The Invisible Trajectory: Drifting Sounds and Shadows Between Cities,” focuses on the relationship between migrants and distant cities, reflecting on the context in which migrants create their homes/personal spaces through the framework of immigration history and parallel contrasts with urban public construction. Through accumulated observations over the medium to long term, we have found that living in European regions, particularly in cities like Zurich and London, accentuates the distinctiveness of the migrant experience. Despite societal advocacy for diversity and equality, there is still a palpable sense of social class distinction and gentrification. The status of migrants is not easily documented or reflected in existing policies and public discourse.

Building upon prior fieldwork experiences, we draw inspiration from concepts like Strollogy, Dérive, and Non-place to explore the relationship between urban landscapes and individuals, sparking discussions on cultural exchanges from a historical perspective and reflecting on the assimilation and rejection of cultural and intellectual phenomena generated by contemporary ‘non-Western’ identities in Western contexts.

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These photos were taken with a film camera,
and several images were developed into negatives.
During our research at the apartment Schubertstrasse,
we discovered thousands of documents related to his work and life journey.

After studying at TU Berlin, Herianto Sulindro relocated to Hamburg, where he worked on urban projects from 1960 to 1962. His work focused on gathering data and mapping different areas for water and plant infrastructure. The photographs were discovered in the film format. Courtesy of Herianto Sulindro & the Kho Family.

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