“musik + X” invites you on a tour through the music genres, scenes and subcultures of Germany. The exhibition presents current pop and rock stars, rappers and DJs from Munich to Cologne, from Frankfurt to Jena. Some have made it to worldwide fame, many are still regionally rooted; all of them stand for pop culture from Germany.
Pop culture: stands for longing, young dreams, the wish to be elsewhere. To think of pop within national boundaries is therefore a contradiction in itself. German musicians often take up trends from the Anglo-American arena because music from there seems more exciting and the nights more glamorous. As a result, a field has developed in which international styles and attitudes intermingle. This interchangeability is a key requisite for Pop.
At the same time, musicians strive for individual artistic expression. In the interplay between external influences and the search for identity, national characteristics gradually emerge. What makes German pop most recognisable today is the language. Whether in Hamburg or Magdeburg: with a lot of commitment and word-play, people are singing and rapping in German. For non-linguistic Techno, on the other hand, Germany is an international centre – with Berlin the party capital of the western world.
Pop culture goes beyond just music. Indie singers challenge society. Techno tracks accompany political events. The language of Hip-Hop is seeps into the everyday. Fans come together and grow with their stars’ promises of happiness. Pop has many faces.
Enjoy the journey!
