Sonic Youth etc. : Sensational Fix; 30 May - 20 September 2009 Malmö Konsthall, Sweden
80s Punk combines Art and Music! The US band Sonic Youth (formed in 1981) collaborated closely with curator Roland Groenenboom for the exhibition of Sonic Youth’s multimedia works and other artists with focus on the synergies between art and music in the show "The SONIC YOUTH etc. : SENSATIONAL FIX".

They have created an alternative history of contemporary culture that evokes a critical discussion of the division between “high” and “popular” art. Some of the band’s songs have been used to topicalize aspects such as youth rebellion, hunger, fashion, and sex. The various sections revolve around a central area, which illustrates the band’s long history, with records, posters, T-shirts, musical instruments and photographs.

The first section explores with works by Vito Acconci, Dan Graham, Richard Prince, Cindy Sherman, John Miller, Christian Marclay, Tony Oursler, Richard Kern, Patti Smith, Jutta Koether, Rita Ackermann ... the early 80s in the New York art and music scene of Punk and atonal noise-rock. During this time art-rock groups often exhibited in art galleries and lofts.

The second section is about the bands tour experiences: underground texts and various materials from William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, D.A. Levy, Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, John Cage, Glenn Branca, ... give you an impression of the great open landscapes of the West and an insight into the life of the protagonists – beatniks, hitch-hikers and cowboys.

The third section illustrates Sonic Youth's time on the West Coast with works by Mike Kelley, Mark Gonzales, Spike Jonze, Todd Haynes, Dave Markey, Raymond Pettibon, Cameron Jamie, Kim Kordon, ... and will give you a view on Californian hardcore-punk of the 80s.

The fourth section of the exhibition shows works by artists working outside the US art scene, such as Gerhard Richter, Tacita Dean, Isa Genzken and Michael Morley.

The catalogue, distributed by Verlag der Buchandlung Walther König and published by Museion and LiFE, will be available in German, Italian, French and English (748 pages). Two 7-inch vinyl records are included in the publication. Each side has been created by a member of the band. The authors of the essays are: Corinne Diserens, Elein Fleiss, Kim Gordon, Roland Groenenboom, Richard Hell, Carlos van Hijfte, Mike Kelley, Jutta Koether, Alan Licht, Lydia Lunch, John Miller, Gene Moore, Thurston Moore, Aaron Mullan, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Sonic Youth, Paul Sztulman, Mike Watt and Christophe Wavelet. https://www.fashion.at/culture/2008/sonicyouth9-2008.htm

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