A new techno exhibition backed by German cultural exchange institution, the Goethe Institute, is set to tour Canada, parts of the US, and Latin America. The exhibition, titled Techno Worlds, will explore and celebrate the history, roots, and overall cultural significance of techno. The exhibition is curated by German musician Mathilde Weh, with Justin Hoffmann and Berlin’s Creamcake collective. The exhibition will feature works by visual artists and musicians, as well as documentary screenings and archives of magazines and fashion. Opening this month in Montreal, it is expected to tour various locations until 2026, arriving in Warsaw next year after the Americas.
Speaking on the exhibition, Weh explains how techno formed an integral connection between Germany and America: “Yes, as techno drew its inspiration from many different genres and regions of the world, but its birthplace, however, was the former motor city of Detroit, where African American musicians were key contributors to the emergence of techno music.”
Meh went on to explain how techno had a significant impact on Germany during the Cold War. “In Germany, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, techno was seen as a unifying element between east and west… There was a strong feeling of freedom at the time in the clubs, and I think that that is the fascination of it. It was a spirit of optimism and freedom.”
The exhibition will also be documented in a 300 page book with written contributions from Chicks On Speed, Alva Noto, and Robert Lippok amongst others. Pre-order it here.
