STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN

Remarks, sensations and perspectives that were noted, located and shared by all the class.
Divided in six different groups, we started from the corners and followed opposite directions walking around Dharavi and the next day we entered the limit and moving across trying to find our way through unpredictable alleys.
Sometimes unconsciously, we searched for the emptiness of the space. The visual, sonorous, odorous and touch compositions are so extremely dense and multilayered that the activity turns tiring, distracting and difficult to comprehend. We all needed spatial silence to rest our intoxicated of information senses.

• SMELLS
  It gets intensified by the heat, and influenced by the effects of sun or shadow.
  The people’s occupations can be smelt.
  It increases in narrow streets.
  The water smelt bad.
  The breeze and the wind helped to give a rest to or overwhelmed noses.
  The fish markets, public toilets, sewage conducts, kilns for pottery and the kitchens were easy to recognize by their smell.
  The stench could be so bad that it even hurted.
• SOUNDS
  The traffic sound dominated all the contour of Dharavi. Inside, the sounds turned human, musical and concrete; the tumult of the cars was relegated to a second level, it became a background, not a totality anymore.
  The few silent places found, usually located in more peaceful residential areas, where interrupted by the sudden noise of the train or the constant murmur of the factories.
  Sound would continuously distract our attention.
  We were surprised to hear so many televisions and radios.
  The feet of the people produced different rhythms and effects, and bare feet were silent.
  Dogs barking and birds singing, animals contributed to the surprising concert of Dharavi.
  Diverse religious prayers are sang everywhere, the diversity and freedom of beliefs are happily evident.
• TOUCH
  Walking sem to be a dance: the body movement, in order to adapt to the busy context, was continuous and undulating. Sometimes it became stressing and aggressive, as people would push and cars rub against us.
  It felt safer to move inside the area. In the narrow and solitary streets it was easier to march straight.
  Coolness usually meant privacy.
  Interruption was a constant.
  Our presence provoked the movement of the people, some came to us and some hidded in their houses. We interfered in the surroundings.
• SIGHT
  Visual continuity and rhythm distinguished the border and the interior.
  Light and darkness were consequences of the different urban typologies.
  Flags and symbols expressed people’s identities.
  The nature was much more predominant in the inside than in the limit of Dharavi.
  Opened doors confirmed the communing and welcoming attitude of people.
  The panoramic silhouette of Dharavi was in huge contrast with its city background.
  The poor infrastructure, the lack of sanitation and the immediateness of solutions was visually recognizable.
  Care and cleanness are promptly found when observing individual behaviours and contexts. When observing around without concreting the point of view disorder and dirtiness govern the scene.