Criminal Charge: Loitering is a headset sound work that takes the listeners on an intimate journey between past, present, and future in Musrara, in the footsteps of the Israeli Black Panthers protest movement that emerged in the neighborhood in the 1970s. The tour is guided by the voice of Koko Deri – one of the movement’s leaders, who still lives in the neighborhood. He is joined by the voices of other residents who grew up watching or were involved in the historic Black Panthers struggle for social justice for Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews who suffered oppression and discrimination by the state. This is a site-specific work, planned and inspired by the artist’s walks with Deri throughout Musrara neighborhood. The project was recorded using a binaural headset that captures sound in 360 degrees, so that the recorded sound simulates a joint walk through the streets of the neighborhood, creating a “cinematic soundtrack” experience in real life.
The work invites the listeners to look at Musrara neighborhood today, try to imagine it in the 1970s, and get a glimpse of a personal and unique story. Through this story, a broader political-social narrative is unfolded, recounting the story of this small but unusual place, located in the beautiful yet turbulent, burning and bleeding meeting point between East and West Jerusalem.
Concept, production, and editing: Rotem Volk
Speakers: Koko Deri, Mazal Moyal, Chalie Liani
The project was made as part of the Musrara Residency Program supported by Mifal Hapais