"Ein Mal im Jahr: Schock-Trauma!"
Artist Nik Nowak is exploring the "Sound Horeg" phenomenon in East Java, Indonesia, where massive DIY loudspeaker systems are mounted on trucks and boats for extreme mobile discos. These parades, characterized by towering walls of speakers and intense bass, represent a global evolution of sound culture influenced by social media rather than traditional folklore. Nowak's research into these unregulated, high-tech spectacles has culminated in a new body of work featuring sculptures and photographs.
This project matters because it challenges Western concepts of cultural appropriation and highlights the multidirectional nature of globalized aesthetics. By documenting how local Indonesian communities remix international technology and music styles into a unique subculture, Nowak explores the intersection of technology, sound, and social identity. His collaboration with local figures like Ican Haram of Gabber Modus Operandi further bridges the gap between Berlin's electronic music scene and Southeast Asian grassroots innovation.