Berlin Atonal, recently recognized by the Biennial Foundation as the first biennial rooted in music and sound, defies conventional categories of festival and exhibition. Held in the decommissioned Kraftwerk power station, the event prioritizes sound as a central art form, with artists like Billy Bultheel, Anne Imhof, and Basma al-Sharif creating immersive, site-specific works. The festival sold out on Resident Advisor, reflecting growing demand for experimental sound in visual culture settings.
This recognition matters because it challenges rigid distinctions between art, music, and film at a time when Berlin’s techno culture has been added to UNESCO’s cultural heritage register. The festival also highlights political tensions, as Palestinian artist Basma al-Sharif notes increasing censorship in Berlin’s cultural sector since the Israel-Hamas war. By centering sound as a legitimate art form, Berlin Atonal pushes boundaries of what art can mean and how audiences engage with it.