Darsha Hewitt

Darsha Hewitt

Darsha Hewitt is a sound artists who’s work revolves around creating sound instillations, hand-made electronics and performances using obsolete technology. She aims to show the materiality of capitalist culture by using technology that would be deemed old and unusable by consumer society, But Darsha recycles these machines and uses their parts and processes to create her work.

Here are a few pieces of Jessicas work which she shared and talked to us about. I will be describing the aim and process behind each piece and offering my own critical response.

Shimmer Generators V.3D

Shimmer Generators V.3D is an instillation consisting of two Sideman 5000 drum machines with their wiring exposed. These machines were the worlds first commercially available drum machines being put on the market in 1959. They eventually became redundant with smaller, more capable machines being produced. Darsha restored and learned to use the Sideman to preform live as well as make this instillation.

I very much like the material aspect of this piece and how old technology can be recycled and celebrated as not only a piece of history but as a tool to be used in compositions. She showed us a tiny segment of what the instrument was capable of and it had a very unique sonic footprint which made for an interesting listen. It was a drum machine but sounded different to the ones we’re familiar with. It sounds more bright and hollow, with what sounds like wood and bells being hit to create rhythms.

High Fidelity Wasteland I: 100 Year Old Quicksilver Cloud

This sound instillation experiments with material waste left over from generations of sound reproduction technology. The piece is composed of a thyratron, a 100 year old vacuum tube which radiates a cloud of blue ionized mercury. This creates electrons which can be used for an electrical current which kickstarted the beginning of widespread communications technology such as telephones, television and radio. These vacuum tubes create a high pitched sound when heating up and create an audio experience for listeners in the exhibit.

I like how this piece shows how old technology such as the thyratron, can still work and preform well even a 100 years after its creation. I found this very interesting however the audio part of the piece was less enjoyable just due to the constant ringing the tubes created.