dESIGN12+ #1: ZURREAL - Performance

With an introduction and moderated by Prof. Oliver Schwabe

zurreal is a queer, neurodivergent artist from Cologne who celebrates individuality and challenges conventions by looking beyond the ordinary in a genre mix of experimental hip-hop and deconstructed, futuristic beats.

zurreal works with distorted mystical sounds, alienated vocals and metallic-organic melodic sequences, reshaping genres such as experimental hip-hop or deconstructed club and metal trap to create a unique style all of its own. The Cologne insider tip combines live music with a dynamic performance reminiscent of Throbbing Gristle or Skinny Puppy.

Thematically, zurreal deals with neurodivergence and uses music to explore ADHD, autism or other neurodivergent conditions in social interaction with neurotypical people. Or zurreal immerses itself in modern media and digital worlds and criticizes them as an escape from reality. Beyond music, zurreal's creative interests extend to fashion and modeling, mixed media art and film.

Zurreal's performances are physical experiences carried by sounds and voice that repeatedly dissolve into cathartic screams that herald the departure from the assumption of having to hide aspects of one's personality from others.