Ben Shirken

Ben Shirken (a.k.a. Ex Wiish), is a multimedia artist, musician, and curator living in New York City. ​​His practice contemplates how our tools for understanding and containing the world fundamentally alter our relationship with it. Shirken has created records, installations, video works, real-time AI tools, A/V performances, and most recently immersive scores. Breaking through on Incienso Records in 2023 with Shards Of Axel, his latest full-length LP and installation H.D. Reliquary [29 Speedway] coaxes beauty from a serrated, yet subdued palette drawn from his own archives and recordings of trumpet, violin, upright bass, cello, Max MSP, and modular synthesis. Shirken’s label and performance series, 29 Speedway, focuses on hosting experimental artists from around the world. He has performed and exhibited at spaces such as The New Museum, Festival de Cannes, BAM, Pioneer Works, Nowadays, Trauma Bar, Public Records, Dripping Festival, and Cafe Oto, and has been recognized in the New York Times, Art Basel, Bandcamp, Document Journal, Dazed, and Resident Advisor.