Forced labour was a central component of the Nazi dictatorship. Between 1938 and 1945, around 13 million people had to perform forced labour in the German Reich. In Berlin alone, some 500,000 forced labourers were distributed throughout the city in around 3,000 camps and collective accommodation centres. At no time were so many people from other countries living in Berlin and forced to work.

The project “Human Commodity” uses an interactive app to commemorate 99 places of forced labour in Berlin and makes the stories of 99 forced labourers audible. In addition to central historical information, musicians present the pieces composed by Marc Sinan. The 99 audio miniatures are representative of all victims of Nazi forced labour. (More information and app download at www.human-commodity.de)

At the same time as the Berlin ARTWEEK, a photo exhibition as part of the project HUMAN COMMODITY – WARE MENSCH will open in the SPREEHALLE Berlin: Five artists are photographically expressing their thoughts on some of the 99 selected places. In this way, they process the stories of the forced labourers in their own unique way and create a visual commemoration.