“raster-noton.archiv für ton und nichtton” is meant to be a platform — a network covering the overlapping border areas of pop, art, and science. emerged from the fusion of rastermusic, founded by olaf bender and frank bretschneider in 1996, and the sublabel noton which was run by carsten nicolai, it realizes music projects, publications and installation works. the common idea behind all releases is an experimental approach — an amalgamation of sound, art, and design, which is not only apparent in the music, but also visible from the artwork and cover design.
so far, the catalogue of the label consists of about 150 publications, presenting very different artists such as fine artists, club musicians, noise pioneers, academically trained composers or classic instrumentalists. these publications are not restricted to audio formats such as cds only, but also include books, magazines, dvds, mass storage devices or art prints.
often, the music projects were released in the form of a series which are characterized by a minimalistic package design. one of these series, the »20’ to 2000«, was bought by moma and the centre pompidou and was awarded the golden nica by prix ars electronica in 2000.
over the last 15 years, there have also been collaborations with institutions, fashion designers, museums and festivals all over the world, and once a year, the label is staging a showcase at rome’s academia tedesca villa massimo to present current artists and releases.
the label is run by olaf bender in cooperation with carsten nicolai and is based in chemnitz and berlin