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Alle gegen Alles.
Punk@50
Punk is not dead–it just smells funny.
Punk stands for opposition, for subversive negation. Emerging in the mid-1970s, the subculture positioned itself in opposition to everything and everyone. In this irreverent spirit, we are taking the 50th anniversary of punk as an opportunity for a transatlantic exploration and have chosen Alle gegen Alles as the theme for our programs in the United States and Mexico.
Punk stands for opposition, for subversive negation. Emerging in the mid-1970s, the subculture positioned itself in opposition to everything and everyone. In this irreverent spirit, we are taking the 50th anniversary of punk as an opportunity for a transatlantic exploration and have chosen Alle gegen Alles as the theme for our programs in the United States and Mexico.
Alle gegen Alles – Punk@50
Punk is a musical genre, a fashion phenomenon, and an attitude. It stands for self-expression, nonconformity, and authenticity.The centers of punk rock in the United States had a strong influence on Germany. At the same time, German punk left its mark on the American scene: the Dead Kennedys used to play songs by Heino before their concerts to provoke their fans. In Mexico, the political dimension of punk – as an anti-authoritarian and destructively constructive movement – seemed particularly significant. There, punk played an important role for marginalized communities.
Where does punk stand 50 years later? What role do subcultures play in today’s volatile societies? And what defines punk on both sides of the Atlantic? Locally curated programs by the Goethe-Instituts in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., serve as starting points for an international dialogue on subcultures, protest, and self-determination. Close collaboration with local partners ensures that Alle gegen Alles takes place where punk is truly alive.
Exhibitions, Films, Music, and More
We are currently developing an extensive program that explores the many facets of punk and aims to be every bit as colorful and diverse as punk itself.Among the exhibitions, accompanied by related events, are Tequila Mockingbird’s Los Angeles Punk Museum, which will be revived as a pop-up exhibition at the Goethe-Institut LA through ephemera and punk art, and Melody Mayer’s project Survive, Thrive or Die. In San Francisco, the Goethe-Institut will spotlight punk from its sister city, Kiel. In New York, an exhibition will be dedicated to the work of Alfred Hilsberg, founder of the ZickZack label, while in Chicago visitors can explore the intersections of punk, outsider music, and visionary art. In cooperation with the Museo Universitario del Chopo, a comprehensive punk program is also being developed in Mexico.
Among the many guests and contributors is Thomas Venker, music journalist and publisher of Kaput Magazin. In cooperation with Kaput Magazin, our transatlantic online magazine Gegenüber will accompany the project Alle gegen Alles – Punk@50 with engaging articles and perspectives on the phenomenon of punk.
Producer Flo Wildemann will join us with the ARD series Millennial Punk – Eine Subkultur in Zeiten der Digitalisierung, as will director Bernd Sahling with his film It’ll be ok (Alles wird gut; East Germany/Germany, 1987/1990). Additional screenings of punk films will take place as part of the German Film Festival in Mexico, at the German Currents Film Festival in Los Angeles, as well as at other Goethe-Institut locations and partner cinemas. An online film series will also be available on Goethe-on-Demand.
A concert tour will round out the project—and turn up the volume. For this purpose, we have invited the rising Berlin-based band CAVA, whose fresh garage punk is “short, direct, and uncompromising” (Jule Stromer). CAVA consists of Peppi, Mela, and Lars. Since 2020, their socially critical lyrics have addressed political and feminist issues, a focus that is also evident on their second studio album, Powertrip, released in November 2024.
Starting in late August, this website will bring together all key dates and events, provide behind-the-scenes insights into the project, and celebrate punk in all its forms and facets. Be sure to check back soon for a quarter filled with punk, during which we will all be Alle gegen Alles.
Contact
If you have questions about the project, please contact:Luisa Rath-John
Director Goethe-Institut Los Angeles
luisa.rath-john@goethe.de
www.goethe.de/losangeles
Alexander Behrmann
Director Goethe-Institut San Francisco
alexander.behrmann@goethe.de
www.goethe.de/sanfrancisco
www.goethe.de/usa/punk50