Techno, as a global phenomenon, has left an indelible mark on music history, shaping the last 50 years of pop culture, art, media, and technology. Originating in Detroit, the genre gained international momentum in the 1980s, fueled by the digital revolution and sociopolitical shifts of 1989–90.
In Germany, techno became a symbol of unity after the fall of the Berlin Wall, bridging divides between East and West. Berlin emerged as a techno epicenter during the 1990s, with iconic clubs and events like the Love Parade solidifying the city’s reputation as a global hub for the genre.
TECHNO WORLDS, initiated by the Goethe-Institut and curated by Mathilde Weh, Justin Hoffmann, and Creamcake, explores techno’s evolution as a cultural and social force. Presented for the first time in India by Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Kolkata in collaboration with TRI Art & Culture, the multimedia showcase features works by over twenty international artists, celebrating techno as both a genre of music and a global movement.
Mathilde Weh
Munich-based curator, musician, and artist Mathilde Weh serves as a consultant in the visual arts department at Goethe-Institut Headquarters. Her practice focuses on subcultures, art, and music, advising Goethe-Institut projects worldwide. She initiated TECHNO WORLDS to explore intersections of electronic music, art, and cultural discourse.
Creamcake (CC)
A Berlin-based interdisciplinary platform curated by Tomke Braun, Daniele Seltz, and Anja Weigl,Creamcake operates at the nexus of electronic music, contemporary art, and digital technologies to create fluid spaces that challenge conventional social structures. The collective engages with pressing social issues through projects that blend thought, action, and collaboration across disciplines.
Justin Hoffmann
Wolfsburg-based curator, musician, and art historian, director of Kunstverein Wolfsburg since 2004. Hoffmann has lectured at institutions including the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Zurich Universities of the Arts, and Merz Akademie Stuttgart. His work bridges contemporary art and music, fostering dialogues across academic and cultural platforms.
Sound on Screen | Never Stop
Never Stop - A Music That Resists by Jacqueline Caux
TECHNO OVER TIME
An electronic history on vinyl, conceptualised by Varun Desai.
Sound on Screen | Sisters with Transistors
Outdoor film screening showcasing global techno culture.