Negativland, Culture Jamming, and the Art of Making Something New

Negativland, an experimental multimedia collective founded in 1980, pioneered "culture jamming"—a practice of remixing and layering found and original material to critique American culture, power structures, and media. The band gained widespread attention after being sued by U2 in 1991 for copyright infringement on a satirical record, which prompted them to advocate for fair use and copyright reform through lectures and publications. Over 46 years, Negativland has released over 30 albums and continues to innovate through remote collaborations and live performances that blend sound, music, and sonic experimentation.