Raving

In Raving, McKenzie Wark explores the underground queer and trans rave scene in New York City, highlighting techno as a Black music with unique sonic and temporal possibilities. It is an art form that allows individuals to express themselves and connect with others, particularly queer and trans bodies, in the face of diminishing futures. Wark's book extends the rave experience to the page, invoking a trans practice of raving as a timely aesthetic for dancing in the ruins of a collapsing capital.

Format: Hardback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In his captivating book, Raving: McKenzie Wark delves deep into the enigmatic world of New York's thriving underground queer and trans rave scene. Techno, a Black music that has always embraced its unique sonic and temporal possibilities, emerges as a beacon of hope for this era of diminishing futures. Raving to techno is not just a skill reserved for queer and trans bodies; it is a trans practice that beckons individuals of all backgrounds to surrender themselves to the irresistible beat. Wark vividly captures the essence of raves, encompassing the exhilarating sensations, immersive situations, mesmerizing fog, dazzling lasers, mind-altering drugs, and thunderous sound systems. Through his vivid prose, he extends the raves' sensory experience onto the page, creating a timely aesthetic for dancing in the ruins of this collapsing capital. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the depths of techno's transformative power and its role in shaping the future of underground culture.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 178 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478016762