Invitation to listen

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

Tonight, Wednesday 3 December, there is something to listen to at the second edition of the Monthly Topics, where the REFLEKT research team will provide insights into ‘Abuse of power at universities – 200 testimonials and the call for reform’. Next week, on 11 December, the Autonomous School Zurich (ASZ) will be reading from the current issue of the ‘Papierlose Zeitung’ (Paperless Newspaper), and from 11 to 14 December, music fans and friends of magic tricks will get their money's worth with ‘Desperate Measures’ by Phil Hayes. On 16 December, the four-part sound project ‘OPEN STUDIO’ will begin.

More about ‘OPEN STUDIO’

Artists from various disciplines are collaborating with sound artist, director and stage designer Dimitri de Perrot to explore productions that use sound as a central creative medium. They are developing ideas, perspectives and artistic approaches: How can sound be used to think, create and tell stories?

Performer, musician, trans and interdisciplinary artist Zainab J Lascandri brings the polyphonic archive ‘Imagine a Black Child’ as source material for the already sold-out first ‘OPEN STUDIO’. It consists of her own text work, recorded sounds and produced sounds, and condenses diasporic experiences in the Swiss context: from childhood in the 1980s and 1990s to growing up in the 2000s to motherhood and ageing in the present.

Accompanied by Fatima Moumouni, Tracy September and Brandy Butler, Lascandri works with fragments, scenes and moods, transforming them into a sonic-scenic form. At the centre: invisibility – as a social experience, as an aesthetic strategy, as a frequency of the unsaid. What is the texture of concealment? What future does the echo carry? Between sound studies, speculative fiction and subversive humour, Lascandri explores how lust and joy unfold hope as spaces of resonance.

All OPEN STUDIOS at a glance

OPEN STUDIO: Imagine a Black Child by Zainab J Lascandri supported by Fatima Moumouni, Tracy September & Brandy Butler

16, 17, 18 December, 8 pm

All events are already sold out. Remaining tickets are available at the box office.

‘OPEN STUDIO: Wen Keng We Meet? – On Connection’ by RRRRRR Collective / Keng Chen, Wen-Chi Liu, Eneas Nikolai Prawdzic, Dino Radoncic, Nathalie Stirnimann and Stefan Stojanovic

29 January, 8 pm, and 30, 31 January, 6 pm and 8 pm

Tickets

‘OPEN STUDIO: unerhört ungestört’ by Vincent Glanzmann & Anna Papst

26th, 27th, 28th February, 8 pm

Tickets

‘OPEN STUDIO: Until They Hear Black Voices’ by Fazil On Yu

26th, 27th, 28th March, 8 p.m.

Ticket sales start in January.

‘Care Web: Discussion Round Dramaturgy Blind’ by Criptonite

10 December, 7 pm

How can sensory, creative dramaturgy be created for blind and visually impaired audiences? What options are there beyond ‘classic’ audio description via headphones? How can cultural institutions better contribute to good collaboration with blind and visually impaired artists? Nina Mühlemann and Edwin Ramirez from Criptonite will discuss these questions with various blind and visually impaired experts in this online event. More information

‘Desperate Measures’ by Phil Hayes / First Cut Productions

10, 12, 13 December, 8 pm, 14 December, 6 pm

Zurich-based actor, musician and director Phil Hayes is known for his melancholic humour, his precise use of language and his subtle irony when dealing with topics. For ‘Desperate Measures’, which will premiere in Zurich, he is collaborating with musicians Martina Berther, Mario Hänni and Dominic Oppliger to conjure up an evening full of black humour and heart-wrenching songs. Tickets

‘Write and Stay’ by ‘Papierlose Zeitung’

11 December, 8 pm

In Switzerland, people usually talk about migrants rather than with them. The ‘Papierlose Zeitung’ (Paperless Newspaper) of the Autonomous School Zurich (ASZ) does things differently. Here, migrants themselves have their say. They talk about their lives and their views on migration and politics – personally, journalistically and poetically. Contributions from the latest issue of the Papierlose Zeitung will be read at the Gessnerallee. An evening of stories about flight and resistance, about rays of hope and solidarity. More information

You can find an overview of the 2025/26 programme on our website.

Newspaper

Various artists who performed at the Gessnerallee were interviewed in the newspaper. And musician Rita Roof will be performing at the third children's concert in January. In keeping with the December programme, here is a selection of interviews with thoughts on worlds of sound and memory for you to read.

‘What do I actually want?’ by Giulia Bernardi (only in German)

Rita Roof has been performing on stage as a singer for over 20 years – initially always in the background, never in the media spotlight. A portrait of her journey to becoming a solo artist and the courage to take up space. Read the article

‘Between remembering and forgetting’ by Year-To-Date

London-based guitarist, singer and producer Alpha Maid (aka Leisha Thomas) moved into the North Wing for two weeks in March 2025 and concluded her stay with a concert. A conversation about music as an outlet and the potential of welcome disruptions. Read the article

‘What does memory sound like?’ by Giulia Bernardi (only in German)

The musical performance by choreographer and dancer Nadia Beugré revolves around her own family history and the (re)construction of past events. Read the article

Furthermore

In just under a month, the festive gift-giving marathon will begin for many – what about you? Already have some ideas or still looking for inspiration?

How about an annual pass for Gessnerallee? With this, you can give a gift of culture, drama, humour and food for thought – without having to take centre stage yourself. You can order it by sending a short email to: kasse@gessnerallee.ch or directly via the website.

Or you could opt for a subscription to our newspaper, which we publish four times a season. Perfect for anyone who loves good (cultural) stories and enjoys reading in style. You can get an insight into it on our website. Order by sending a short email to: zeitung@gessnerallee.ch.

We wish you a good start to December.

The Gessnerallee team