Aktfotografie in Basel + Berner Oberland

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Eine Langzeitdokumentation mit Portraits von den Menschen aus der Mülhauserstrasse 26 in Basel, Massenkündigung

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Mülhauserstrasse 26, Basel, CH

During one year, I accompanied the residents of Mülhauserstrasse 26 in Basel with my camera, documenting their lives as they faced a mass dismissal. Fifty years ago, when the house was built, the neighborhood was a working-class area. Now, like much of Basel, it is undergoing rapid gentrification, and rents are rising dramatically.
The residents suspect that a major pharmaceutical company is behind the building’s renovation. The property belongs to the pension fund of Basel-City, and in earlier years, only married couples with children, employed by the city, were accepted as tenants. Many of the residents have lived there since the beginning. They raised their children, grew old, and built a strong community based on mutual care and support. This solidarity enabled, for instance, a 91-year-old woman to remain independent in her home. Now, for the first time in her life, she has taken to the streets to protest.
Nearby, activist-run housing collectives became aware of the mass dismissal and began supporting the Müli 26 residents. They organized meetings, launched a petition, and helped plan a large demonstration—forming a bridge between generations and social movements.
When I began this documentation, only four families remained in the building. The rest had already left in search of new homes. I was fortunate that the 91-year-old woman was still fighting to stay. For elderly people, finding a new apartment where they can live independently is incredibly difficult. Often, the only option left is a nursing home.
This project is a continuation of my previous work, such as Life on Burgweg, where I also witnessed the impact of mass evictions. Each encounter deepens my understanding of displacement—not just as a physical removal, but as a rupture of home, memory, and community. With my photography, I aim to give space to these stories of resistance, dignity, and quiet courage in the face of a changing world.enter text here