Kraftwerk's Kling Klang Studio as Cyborg: Cybernetic Connections in Electronic Music
In the May-June-July 2012 edition of art press 2 n°25 titled 'Cyborg,' Kraftwerk's studio Kling Klang is examined as a cyborg entity, drawing on the philosophies of Thierry Hoquet and Donna Haraway. The article delves into Kraftwerk's 'connectics'—the art of connections—depicting the studio as an 'electronic garden' and a modular machine. Significant aspects include technical configurations, human-machine interactions, and acoustic integration ('MenschMachine'). Ralf Hütter describes it as a 'central power plant.' Additionally, it references Lester Bangs' 1975 forecast regarding the domination of rock by Germans and machines, while addressing human-machine transitivity and the notion of 'trance,' illustrated by 'Music Non-Stop' (Electric Café, 1983) and its accompanying video by Rebecca Allen.
Key facts
- Article published in art press 2 n°25 'Cyborg' (May-June-July 2012)
- Analyzes Kraftwerk's studio Kling Klang as a cyborg
- References Thierry Hoquet's cyborg philosophy and Donna Haraway's cyborg concept
- Kraftwerk used self-designed robots since early 1970s
- Studio functions as both organic environment and dismountable machine
- Ralf Hütter describes studio as 'central power plant' with feedback
- Lester Bangs' 1975 article predicted rock's capture by Germans and machines
- 'Music Non-Stop' from Electric Café (1983) exemplifies trance principle
- Video for 'Music Non-Stop' by Rebecca Allen features virtual musicians and self-managed mixing console
Entities
Artists
- Kraftwerk
- Ralf Hütter
- Florian Schneider
- Lester Bangs
- Rebecca Allen
- Thierry Hoquet
- Donna Haraway
- David Cronenberg
- Joseph Henry
- Rammellzee
- Rick Wakeman
- Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Institutions
- Kling Klang
- art press
Locations
- Germany
Sources
- artpress —