The Inhabitants of the Historical Pavement: Excerpt from 'Accumulations'

Video: 5 min.This excerpt from the shortfilm Accumulations (2016) is part of Espen Lunde Nielsens PhD-project Architectural Probes of the Infraordinary (2013-2016). The shortfilm explores the (infra-)ordinary versus the extraordinary collective memory of the built environment: From cathedrals and boulevards to kiosks and cigarette packs.This particular excerpt presents a framed view of a quasi-historical pavement in downtown Chicago and the coming and going of people. Some are passing by without paying much attention, for others it is their daily workplace and for some an exotic starting point for yet unknown adventures. The pavement and collective history will outlast all of them – but while they are here, they set each other in motion and even the most trivial elements of the street become part of this choreography.Throughout the film, the reciprocal relationship between the individual and the overall collective history of the city is questioned. If one looks closely, history is written not only by grand gestures but also through everyday situations.The film was realised while touring various locations throughout the US, from Chicago to Detroit and New York, doing research on different urban environments and their implications for the social and everyday life of its inhabitants.The journey and the film are co-sponsored by Esther & Jep Finks Mindefond.