ABOUT
Wash Your Dirty Money With My Art (WYDMWMA) is a dynamic art duo based in Copenhagen,Denmark. Founded in 2021 by Tobias Kiel and Michael Vitus, the group is driven by a mission todissolve the boundaries between art and music, creating a fluid, genre-defying artistic expression.
WYDMWMA is not only a musical duo but also employs performance as a powerful artistic language, using it to communicate and explore complex ideas. Refusing to be confined to any one style, they embrace a diverse range of genres—from hardcore techno to classical compositions, indie pop/rock, and experimental soundscapes.
This artistic versatility is at the core of WYDMWMA's identity. The duo's music is not just about sound but about creating immersive experiences. Their performances often extend beyond traditional music venues, engaging with galleries, festivals, and public spaces to craft unique, multi-sensory events. Each performance is a testament to their belief that art and music are interconnected, capable of enhancing and elevating each other in unexpected ways.
SELECTED PROJECTS
Lemon Act, Hallinsgade 1 (DK) was a two-hour performance by WYDMWMA that transformed the humble lemon into a sonic playground. In this experimental piece, the duo explored the full range of sounds a lemon could produce, employing microphones, knives, tables, and their own bodies to extract and amplify the fruit’s acoustic potential. The performance turned the everyday lemon into a fascinating instrument, pushing the boundaries of sound and creativity. By delving into the auditory possibilities of a simple fruit, WYDMWMA invited the audience to experience music in a completely novel and imaginative way.
You Won't Listen Unless You Act, Esthersvej 43, gallery space (DK) is a hardcore techno performance by WYDMWMA, part of their “Easy Listening” series. In this immersive experience, the audience was encouraged to use provided headphones, but with only four wired headphones available, listeners could only experience the performance in close proximity to the group. This setup created an intimate atmosphere within the busy art gallery, where only a few could engage with the music at any given time. The limited access to headphones fostered a unique and personal connection between the audience and the performance, highlighting the contrast between the intimate listening experience and the surrounding gallery’s vibrant environment.
I Never Act Alone, Fridapalooza (SE) is a provocative 30-minute performance where WYDMWMA challenges the concept of individualism in the role of a DJ. In this piece, one member of the duo takes on the persona of a DJ, yet insists on not performing alone. To underscore this, a mannequin dressed in a matching costume is brought on stage as a "sidekick," symbolizing the often unseen or unacknowledged support behind solo performances. The mannequin, though inanimate, serves as a silent partner, questioning the idea of solitary artistic creation. The performance blurs the line between presence and absence, collaboration and isolation, leaving the audience to ponder the true nature of performance and the roles we play.
7 Hours, ØSTPAA Festival (DK) was a performance by WYDMWMA that redefined the concept of live shows. The duo themselves repurposed an old pig barn into an unconventional club for the event. Over the course of seven hours, they played through their entire back catalog, creating an immersive and unbroken sound experience. This endurance test pushed the limits of both performers and audience, challenging traditional festival show lengths. By transforming a rustic space and delivering an extensive performance,
"7 Hours" not only showcased their expansive musical range but also questioned and expanded the boundaries of live performance expectations.
