Best The GoetheInstitut Podcasts (2024)

1
Synthetic Life: A future of 'Natural History'? 49:28

1h ago49:28

49:28

The Synthetic Sacred is a new action-research initiative curated by Lucy Rose Sollitt that explores pathways for ecological restoration amidst hybridity. The notion of the Synthetic Sacred is both a provocation and an attempt to forge sustainable narratives and practices. Weaving together posthuman and Indigenous knowledge systems, it explores the …

1
The Healing Power of Cultural Practice 43:34

5M ago43:34

43:34

Gugulethu Duma aka Dumama is a musician, composer, sonic poet and creative producer from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Her practice plays with the deconstruction and critique of archaic modes of representation in Southern African/African sonic and performance culture, while also composing music for herself and others. For this episode,…

1
(Re-)Collecting Europe with Marta Bausells 27:48

9M ago27:48

27:48

(Re-)Collecting Europe is a residency programme devised by the Goethe-Institut London, which gave two journalists the opportunity to travel through the UK for four weeks. It aimed to reach emerging journalistic voices, encouraging critical thinking and creative debate. Against the backdrop of the UK’s departure from the EU the journalists-in-reside…

1
The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction 58:16

10M ago58:16

58:16

For this episode, Esther Leslie and Louis Porter join us to unpick the mind of one of the 20th century's greatest thinkers Walter Benjamin. In 1935, he wrote an essay called 'The Work of Art in the Age of its Mechanical Reproduction'. During the episode, we reflect on some of the core ideas from the text and apply them to modern-day cultural phenom…

1
Lives of Objects: Gala Porras-Kim and James Webb 52:50

12M ago52:50

52:50

This podcast episode is the first podcast episode of the Lives of Objects series. We invited multidisciplinary artists Gala Porras-Kim and James Webb to discuss the ways in which we think about the lives of objects through an artistic lens. The two focus on objects and artefacts with historical, socio-political, and spiritual importance.…

1
Beyond Hearing 1:06:07

1y ago1:06:07

1:06:07

Through a series of extraordinary sound recordings, Dr. Matthew Herbert pushed us to hear further than we might have thought possible, asking the question: “How can systemic listening lead to meaningful action?” To celebrate 60 years of the Goethe-Institut London, we held three Goethe Annual Lectures in 2022. For our third, we invited Dr. Matthew H…

1
The Culture of Artificial Intelligence 33:38

1+ y ago33:38

33:38

In her talk, “The Culture of Artificial Intelligence”, Mercedes Bunz explores the particular power of AI systems using work from contemporary artists to reveal the human misunderstanding regarding AI. To celebrate 60 years of the Goethe-Institut London, we held three Goethe Annual Lectures in 2022. For our second GAL, we invited Professor Mercedes …

1
Politics – What’s Love Got To Do With It? Mithu Sanyal’s Goethe Annual Lecture 2022 37:30

1+ y ago37:30

37:30

As German writer Mithu Sanyal confirms, it's a preconceived idea that love and politics don't go together. They are in fact polar opposites. Moreover, love has become a dirty word in politics. We can talk on social media about sex till the cows come home, but love, it's too cute, too lovey-dovey, and too unpolitical. In light of recent events, a di…

1
How can art help us understand quantum computing? 34:01

1+ y ago34:01

34:01

What exactly is a quantum computer? Have you ever wondered what all the media hype is about or how quantum computing may impact our everyday lives? In this episode, we talk to quantum expert Emily Haworth, curator Lucy Rose Sollitt and Professor Eduardo Miranda to learn about quantum technologies and the arts. Over the coming weeks, the Goethe-Inst…

1
Ball Bearings 28:23

1+ y ago28:23

28:23

Ball bearings — these mechanisms are all around us, inside our wheels and motors. Hidden away, we rarely see them, and most people don’t even know what they are. In this episode, Scott Carrier reveals the overlooked role this engineering marvel has played in human history.By Goethe-Institut

1
The Typewriter 27:42

1+ y ago27:42

27:42

In search of inefficiency in an overly efficient digital world, Jakob Lewis entered the ‘typosphere,’ an online community of typewriter enthusiasts. Several typewriters and a letter to Tom Hanks later, Jakob is a convert to the analog life.By Goethe-Institut

1
Beer 28:51

1+ y ago28:51

28:51

Long ago, German immigrants brought their brewing traditions to the United States. More recently, brewers from the U.S. have begun bringing American-style craft beer to Germany. Sally McGrane and Axel Scheele look at two breweries on opposite sides of the pond.By Goethe-Institut

1
How We Wanted to Live 20:34

1+ y ago20:34

20:34

Imagine life beyond crises. A world beyond catastrophe, wars and climate crisis. How would you like to live? And now think ahead to 2050. Looking back on your present self, how would you have wanted to have lived? In this episode we talk to curator and project developer Isabel Raabe of Talking Objects Lab and curator and dance dramaturg Thomas Scha…

1
Traffic 28:32

2y ago28:32

28:32

Most city dwellers view traffic as an unavoidable downside of urban life. But according to Susanne Papawassiliu, freeway standstills have their benefits. In this episode, Susanne speaks with traffic experts, city planners, and professional drivers in Los Angeles and Berlin about congestion on the roads.…

1
The Farm 27:37

2y ago27:37

27:37

Ira Karp lives on a farm in northern Vermont, surrounded by music, puppets, and a family of incredible storytellers. Over his brief lifetime, he has become a ‘story keeper’ himself, collecting epic tales from his everyday life that he recounts with relish.By Goethe-Institut

1
Grief 28:13

2y ago28:13

28:13

Grief is all around us these days. But what exactly is it? And why is it? During a time of global trauma and loss, Jocelyn Robinson seeks to better understand this basic human emotion through the voices and stories of the grieving.By Goethe-Institut

1
Cartoons 29:00

2y ago29:00

29:00

Have you ever heard of the cartoonist Oliver Harrington? Probably not, but the artist played an instrumental role in German-American history. From the Harlem Renaissance to the division of Berlin during the Cold War — he was there for it all, capturing the world around him in his masterful comic strips.…

1
Street Names 29:35

2y ago29:35

29:35

Why is a Nazi resistance fighter famous in Brazil yet unheard of in Germany? How did an African American musician become a hero in East Germany? Dina Elsayed finds the answers to these questions and more while uncovering the stories behind Berlin’s unusual street names.By Goethe-Institut

1
The Street 28:14

2y ago28:14

28:14

As a lifelong photographer and filmmaker, Harald Rumpf has spent decades exploring the cities that his subjects call home. In this episode, he uses archival interviews and personal anecdotes to reconstruct a lifetime of experiences documenting life in the streets.By Goethe-Institut

1
Hidden History 30:34

2y ago30:34

30:34

During World War II, over 400,000 German POWs came to the U.S., where they worked on local farms alongside civilians. Cariad Harmon tells the story of the unlikely friendships that one American family from small-town Tennessee forged with enemy soldiers.By Goethe-Institut

1
Sounds of Nature 25:59

2y ago25:59

25:59

Tosca Terán creates soundscapes using fungi. In this immersive piece, Tosca takes listeners on a soundwalk, pausing periodically to interview other sound artists who work with nature.By Goethe-Institut

1
Housing 28:41

2y ago28:41

28:41

The demand for affordable housing has reached an all-time high in both Europe and North America. In this episode, Tomma Suki investigates the housing situation in two major cities on opposite sides of the Atlantic: Berlin and Toronto.By Goethe-Institut

1
Firsts 28:44

2y ago28:44

28:44

What happens inside our brains and bodies when we experience something new? What is it like to perform surgery for the first time? Or to swim in a freezing cold lake? Monika Müller-Kroll and Susannah Edelbaum interview people from all walks of life about their most memorable firsts.By Goethe-Institut

1
Winterreise 28:48

2y ago28:48

28:48

In the endless sunshine of Dubai, Bilal Qureshi revisits Franz Schubert’s acclaimed song cycle “Winterreise.” The lyrics of a heartbroken man’s journey across a wintry landscape become a way for Bilal to reconnect with the spirit of ‘wintering’ while living in the desert.By Goethe-Institut

1
Contexts of Injustice: Dismantling Colonial Legacies from Berlin to London 31:53

2y ago31:53

31:53

Author and curator Dan Hicks, best known for his book The Brutish Museums (2020), takes stock of the debate around the enduring legacies of empire in our museums, universities and society at large. In this episode, he talks about recent events in Europe and North America, from removing statues and un-naming buildings to returning artefacts from col…

1
The Zoo 28:06

2y ago28:06

28:06

Growing up, Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller traveled the world with his family. On their trips, they always made time for a visit to the local zoo: in Berlin, in Paris, in Rio de Janeiro. In this episode, Nathaniel and his parents reflect on the days they spent watching animals together.By Goethe-Institut

1
Humor 27:41

2y ago27:41

27:41

Despite the cliché of the unfunny German, there is a rich tradition of comedy in German culture. Soraya Nelson visits comedy clubs in Berlin and interviews comedians, disproving the widespread stereotype that Germans do not know how to take a joke.By Goethe-Institut

1
The Mom-and-Pop Store 28:42

2+ y ago28:42

28:42

In the heart of Berlin, there is a small corner store, lovingly dubbed the “living room of the neighborhood.” Sadly, the shop’s owners are facing eviction after three decades in business. Sally McGrane and Axel Scheele tell the story of the little grocery on Choriner Street.By Goethe-Institut

1
Immersion 27:01

2+ y ago27:01

27:01

Immersive artwork breaks down the border between the viewer and the artist, submerging the spectator in the exhibit. Nancy Pettinicchio discusses this dynamic at length with three artists.By Goethe-Institut

1
Krampus 27:26

2+ y ago27:26

27:26

In the U.S., Santa keeps tabs on who’s been naughty or nice, but there isn’t much follow through on the naughty list. In much of Europe, however, St. Nick has a stern partner who enforces the rules: Krampus. But who exactly is this Krampus guy?By Goethe-Institut

1
Clubbing and Culture in times of Covid 32:32

2+ y ago32:32

32:32

The Goethe-Institut London and the Somerset House Studios are collaborating to establish a new international artist residency programme to support a Germany-based artist working at the intersection of music, art and technology. For the inaugural edition from October 2021 we invited Berlin-based and Texas-born DJane, writer and performer Juliana Hux…

1
The Night 26:11

2+ y ago26:11

26:11

To newborns, there is no discernable difference between night and day. Evening and morning blur together in this piece as Katie Marquette rocks her baby to sleep, contemplating the night.By Goethe-Institut

1
Happiness 28:16

2+ y ago28:16

28:16

How do you quantify something as indescribable as happiness? Michael Hobbes searches for a way to measure life satisfaction that works in both the U.S., his old home, and Germany, his new home.By Goethe-Institut

1
Airlines 29:42

2+ y ago29:42

29:42

A lot has changed since the first days of aviation, from beverage service to affordable plane tickets. Florenz Gilly and Leon Ginzel recap the history of transatlantic flight and reflect on their own experiences crossing the big pond.By Goethe-Institut

1
Candy 29:05

2+ y ago29:05

29:05

As a kid, candy makes the world go round. As an adult, it has the power to bring back long-forgotten childhood memories. Carol McKinley talks about the magic of candy with Tony Vallejos who ran a vintage sweet shop in Colorado.By Goethe-Institut

1
Community 29:19

2+ y ago29:19

29:19

Community is the story of our lives. It is who we are, who we have been, and who we hope to become. Melissa Gerr visits Jewish congregations in Baltimore, Maryland, and Dresden, Germany, where she speaks with members about the importance of community.By Goethe-Institut

1
A Greener Infrastructure for a Sustainable Metropolis 52:19

2+ y ago52:19

52:19

“Going Green and the SouthKenGreenTrail - a greener infrastructure for a sustainable metropolis”. A podcast with artist Natalie Taylor, the architecture and design collective Urban Radicals and landscape architect Adam Harris.By Goethe-Institut

1
Adventure 28:48

2+ y ago28:48

28:48

Have you ever thought about dropping everything to pursue your passion? Susanne Papawassiliu profiles Mike Powers who left his life in Florida behind to do just that. Today, Mike resides in Berlin, where he spends his days making art.By Goethe-Institut

1
Encounters 28:44

2+ y ago28:44

28:44

How many people will you meet in your lifetime? How many will you remember? Fascinated by the countless chance encounters in their own lives, Susannah Edelbaum and Monika Müller-Kroll reveal the ways that casual interactions affect us all.By Goethe-Institut

1
Road Trip 30:19

2+ y ago30:19

30:19

Cariad Harmon and her partner John Kesling embark on a long-awaited cross-country road trip. Cariad interviews locals and fellow travelers of all kinds at national parks, truck stops, and diners while sharing intimate details of life on the road — the good and the bad.By Goethe-Institut

1
Listening 28:22

2+ y ago28:22

28:22

Our ability to hear is fully formed after just four and a half months in the womb. From this early age, sound shapes our worldview. Jim McKee, a sound designer himself, interviews experts who have built careers by learning to listen to the world around them.By Goethe-Institut

1
Wonder 28:59

2+ y ago28:59

28:59

Americans on the East Coast were in awe when Brood X, an enormous group of 17-year cicadas, suddenly emerged from underground to mate. Melissa Gerr, who lives in Maryland, was no exception. Inspired by this local wonder, she sets out to explain the feeling of awe.By Goethe-Institut

1
Record Booth 28:53

3y ago28:53

28:53

By the 1920s, people had begun using coin-operated record booths to create audio souvenirs — immortalizing their thoughts and feelings on a disc. Cariad Harmon travels to one of the last remaining record booths in Louisville, Kentucky, where she captures her own voice and revisits some touching messages from the past.…

1
Notes from a Grown-Up Country 34:36

3y ago34:36

34:36

In the summer of 2020, British author and broadcaster John Kampfner released a new book with a provocative title... . In this episode, we share his 2019 Brady Lecture with the same title: . And yes, the title made us a bit uncomfortable too. But don’t worry; this isn’t an episode about one nation being superior to any others; it’s about what democr…

1
Sacred Self 28:50

3y ago28:50

28:50

In her early 20s, Sibylle Baier recorded 14 folk songs that she says saved her life. Then, she packed the tape away and forgot about it. Decades later, her son discovered his mother’s music and released it — to critical acclaim. Sibylle tells her story for the first time to Carol McKinley.By Goethe-Institut

1
What Does it Mean to Be European? 36:55

3y ago36:55

36:55

With Brexit in the rear view, the decades-long discussion and debate about the role and purpose of the European Union has taken on a new urgency. In this episode, we ask two young intellectuals–one from the UK and one from Germany–to reflect on what Europe means to them. Alice Boyd is a composer, theater maker and environmental campaigner from the …

1
Leading the Art World Towards Sustainability 35:37

3y ago35:37

35:37

Art has the power to change the world by highlighting critical issues, but what responsibility does the art world have to make their own changes and take inventory of internal practices that are unsustainable or inequitable, to address the environmental cost of putting on exhibitions? In this episode, Iwona Blazwick, Director of the renowned Whitec…

1
The Diary 28:10

3y ago28:10

28:10

Working with personal diary entries, Dina Elsayed and Monika Müller-Kroll take listeners on a journey through the seasons to different places in the U.S. and Germany. These entries create a mosaic of our daily lives in all its contradictions and parallels, seriousness and banality.By Goethe-Institut

1
“Some Kind of Tomorrow:” Honoring the Visions of Black Feminist Creative Authors 33:38

3y ago33:38

33:38

The creative writing of Black feminist authors has revolutionary potential. It challenges dominant assumptions and expands the horizons of the current literary audience. In this episode, activist and author Sharon Dodua Otoo honours her literary ancestors and mentors, condemns the racist structures that deprived them of deserved praise during their…

1
Hunting 28:54

3y ago28:54

28:54

There exists a strong tradition of hunting in both Germany and the U.S. However, the cultures surrounding this pastime differ more than you might think. Ada von der Decken and Moritz Gerlach speak with hunters from both countries to find out what drives people to pursue the sport.By Goethe-Institut

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