Every day, 160 million people around the world listen to anonymous background muzak. Muzak is a ‘scientifically researched’ urban folk tradition with a schizophrenic function: it is supposed to be as unnoticeable and undramatic as possible, yet at the same time it is meant to stimulate workers and shoppers. It is meant to be heard, but not listened to.
The events seen on the small b/w surveillance monitor evoke the Esperanto-like nature of muzak. The scenes are minimalist music clips – notions on unheard music. (MT / translation: Silja Kudel)
Based on the documentary film Thank You for The Music – A Film about Muzak (1997).
Cinematography: Jussi Eerola, Research & Co-script: Anton Nikkilä, Production: Kinotar / Lasse Saarinen
exhibitions:
- Blackout, Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Finland 2015–2016
- Stimulus Progression (Köln), Temporary Gallery, Cologne, Germany, 2014
- Aikakoneita – Time Machines, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, 2013
- The Most Electrified Town In Finland, TENT, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2013
- La chanson, Sevilla Museum of Contemporary Art, Spain, 2011
- On The Spot #4, Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe, Germany, 2008
- Human Engineering, Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Zürich, Switzerland, 2005
