Sharper Than A Needle

The Therese-Giehse-Halle is transformed into a resonant textile workshop: in the interdisciplinary project ‘Sharper Than A Needle’, textile machinery and haberdashery are turned into musical instruments. A choir of sewing machines harmonises with the silky thread of the spinning wheel, a knitting machine weaves electronic rhythms, and an oversized sewing box becomes a beat machine.

Video projections reveal details of the machines’ workings, whilst the sounds they produce are translated into movement and dance.

On 23 February 2025, the ensemble Dressed in Sound took to the stage of the Munich Kammerspiele for the first time. A live album has now been produced from the recordings of this world premiere – which will celebrate its official release on vinyl on 3 June 2026, alongside the performance.

Very few people realise that sewing machines can be used to make music. Yet there is a small but globally connected scene. One of its hubs is in Munich: the Textile Sound Convention ‘Sharper Than A Needle’ was conceived by Stephanie Müller and Klaus Erika Dietl, known for music projects such as SEWICIDE, beißpony and the international collective ALLIGATOR GOZAIMASU. For years, they have been working at the intersection of textile art, experimental pop and sound art, often within queer-feminist contexts. They place creative handicrafts at the centre as a tool for networking. Through their unconventional performances and happenings, they question production conditions whilst simultaneously creating multisensory worlds.

The convention is being organised in collaboration with Karen Modrei and Stefan Wischnewski from the Dressed In Sound ensemble. Together, the ensemble members are exploring the acoustic spectrum of their textile machines.

They are supported by guest artists such as wheelchair dancer Sema Schäffer, media artist Licia Lumen and textile artists from the network ‘Über die Textilie hinaus’.

The record was produced in close collaboration with noise musician and sound artist Colin Djukic (ZORK FREE ARTS LAB). The live album is being released on the Rheinschallplatten label. A limited-edition magaZINE (icon Verlag) accompanies the LP, featuring photographs by Florian Freund and further written and visual contributions that offer a glimpse behind the scenes.

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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Florian Freund

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