infinite ground selfie space sound
Klaysstarr Nets / Iain Findlay-Walsh

Walter Benjamin (1892–1940) was a literary critic, essayist, translator and philosopher. Despite his tragic demise fleeing Nazi-occupied France, his renowned critical essays (including 'The Storyteller') changed forever the way we discuss history and the impact of technology and capitalism on culture. 

Perhaps less well known are his early radio shows which were aimed at children before they gained a larger public following. Verso’s recent publication of Benjamin’s radio scripts ('Radio Benjamin' ed. Lecia Rosenthal, 2014 <http://www.versobooks.com/books/1720-radio-benjamin>) brings together for the first time in English rare pieces from 1927-33. However, due to their original live transmission no audio of Benjamin reading his work exists.

Supported by the Goethe Institut and the University of Glasgow these seven 23 minute experimental radio documentaries reanimate Benjamin’s scripts by asking expert speakers to read and discuss them in special locations around, over and under Glasgow accompanied by sound compositions from sonic artists Niall Morris and Kyle Stewart.

Recording took place March 17th-19th 2015 and was broadcast on CCA based art radio station Radiophrenia (<http://radiophrenia.scot/>) across Glasgow on 87.9fm, 13th – 19th April, 2015. In 2020, faced with worldwide pandemic and lockdown we’ve decided to replay these shows again, finding anew constellations, consolations and dialectical images haunting us from the past.

Feel free to share with anyone else interested in radio, Benjamin, Glasgow, sonic art or psychogeography. 

We have no idea what happens when you take 90 yr old essays and apply them to different people in a different place but we're interested in finding out what resonates or breaks apart in the process.

Thanks for drifting our way,
Katy Hastie and Amy Bromley (producers)

as the man says - 'knowledge exists only in lightning flashes.The text is the thunder rolling long afterwards'. 

A good general introduction to Benjamin and the special nature of these scripts can be found by listening to BBC Radio 4's 'The Benjamin Broadcasts' <http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b044b3lj>

Followers of Radio Benjamin - Glasgow Constellations