DISSONANT CITY: A Psychogeographies Project
This page contains videos for those who choose to experience DISSONANT CITY at home, live outside the DC area, or simply want to be reminded of the experience they had.
Also included below are links to digital versions of each instruction sheet.
Chapter 1: Congressional Cemetery
If you choose not to leave home right now, or you live far away, find a place that reminds you of someone far away. Can you see the stars out your window? Even better. Break the seal inside the box. Begin by exploring the items in the order described in the “WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE” section. Watch the video below as you read through the notes and journal entries.
Click here for a digital copy of the CHAPTER 1 instruction sheet
Congressional Cemetery Walking Path
Chapter 2: Columbia Heights / Mt Pleasant
If you choose not to leave home right now, or you live far away, find an open space, crank up some music, grab your favorite candy, and jump and dance around as you lose yourself in the song. Are you now all sweaty, energized, and ready to take on the world? Excellent. Break the seal inside the box. Begin by exploring the items in the order described in the “WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE” section. Watch the video below as you read through the notes and fliers.
Click here for a digital copy of the CHAPTER 2 instruction sheet
ARTICLE: “The Unlikely Bond Between a D.C. Church and the Punk Music Scene”
Chapter 3: Capitol Hill / Library of Congress
If you choose not to leave home right now, or you live far away, find a place that is tranquil, stately, perhaps with a few books in sight. Take a deep breath. Can you smell the bibliosmia as woody, smokey, vanilla scents stimulate your senses? Break the seal inside the box. Begin by exploring the items in the order described in the “WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE” section. Watch the video below as you read through the notes and journal entries
CLICK HERE for a digital copy of the CHAPTER 3 INSTRUCTION SHEET
CLICK HERE for the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS RESOURCE GUIDE
Chapter 4: Byrdland Records / Union Market
If you choose not to leave home right now, or you live far away, find a place that gives you a chill and laid-back vibe. Perhaps burn some incense or light a candle. Put on some music (even better if you go vinyl), and just relax. Watch the video below and when you reach “The Back Room” hit pause and break the seal on the packet inside the envelope. Explore the items in the order described in the “WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE” section. When you’re done, resume the video (Cupid’s “record” will play in the background)
CLICK HERE for a digital copy of the CHAPTER 4 instruction sheet
Chapter 5: U street / Shaw
AT HOME EXPERIENCE: If you choose not to leave home right now, or you live far away, find a place that reminds you of revolution. Open a window and allow the noises to envelop you. Perhaps light a match and extinguish it after a few seconds. Smell the dank smell of sulfur and change in the air. Break the seal inside the envelope. Begin by exploring the items in the order described in the “WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE” section of the instruction sheet. Watch the video below as you do.
CLICK HERE for a digital copy of the CHAPTER 5 instruction sheet
Chapter 6: Anacostia
AT HOME EXPERIENCE: If you choose not to leave home right now, or you live far away, find a place bursting with energy, vitality, and daring. Pick a song from our suggested playlist or choose your favorite Go-Go track and crank it up. Let the rhythm fill your soul. Once you’re feeling the funk, break the seal inside the box. Begin by exploring the items in the order described in the “WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE” section. Watch the video below while reading “Officer Grady’s beat: May 25, 1990.” (numbers on the video correspond to his stops on his walking beat – note how they have changed after 30 years). At the end of the video, take a look at Grady’s letter to his publisher then open up the cassette tape and read the excerpt from his book hidden there.
CLICK HERE for a digital copy of the CHAPTER 6 instruction sheet
CLICK HERE for the oral history of Gogo Music document
Chapter 7: Blues Alley / Georgetown
If you choose not to leave home right now, or you live far away, find a place with brick and stone that has a feeling of history. Pull up the spotify list HERE and get ready to press play. Begin by exploring the items in the order described in the “WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE” section. Watch the video below while reading the text in the four scrolls. (numbers on the video correspond to the numbers on the scrolls)
CLICK HERE for a digital copy of the CHAPTER 7 INSTRUCTION SHEET
Click here for the Dizzy Gillespie playlist
(The playlist is alternate versions of Dizzy Gillespie’s set list at his Blues Alley performance in 1991)
