ARTIST STATEMENT My hands-on practice is driven by my interest in demystifying the invisible systems embedded throughout domestic technology. Curiosity, discovery and wonderment are leading elements that inform my in-studio experimentation. I strive to communicate these ideas through my artwork by creating situations in which magical effect and familiarity can resonate. I frequently employ techniques from early 20th century radio-craft culture. Amateur radio enthusiasts of the time lived by a code of ingenuity, often using mundane objects in novel ways (such as incorporating paper clips and hair pins into communication circuits). Rediscovering these resourceful methods that presupposed the home as a site to experiment in (and with) helps me draw out connections between everyday automation and electricity in its various material states. PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY Alongside her artistic practice she is an independent technician, consultant and educator. She frequently works with international production studios, digital arts organizations, media labs and universities. She is currently an organizer of the Open Source Residency Program at Perte De Signal. She was the coordinator of L’oeuvre ouverte – the 2nd international PureData Convention (‘07) and a delegate at The Banff New Media Institute’s Grounding Open Source Hardware Conference – the first Open Source Hardware summit (’09). Most recently darsha.org has become an associate to Casper Electronics. CV <-- last updated AUGUST 2012
My artwork evolves out of experiments I conduct in my studio where I explore the physics of electricity and look for ways I can use it as a raw material. This includes harvesting electrostatic transmissions, tapping into electromagnetic emissions, and manipulating live flowing current. In my recent work I have been repurposing trailing-edge communication technology and transforming it into electro-mechanical sound installations and experimental instruments for audio performances.
Darsha Hewitt (b. 1982) is a Canadian artist based in Montreal. She was recently awarded an International Stipend for Young Artists in Sound Art from the Federal State of Lower Saxony and Braunschweig HBK (DE) (2013). In 2011 Darsha received an International Work Stipend from The Edith-Russ-Haus für Medienkunst in Oldenburg (DE). She has exhibited her artwork across Canada, in Mexico, Scandinavia and Europe – including presentations at: Edith-Russ-Haus für Medienkunst (DE), Make Art Festival (FR), Piksel Festival (NO), La Periferia (MX), MUTEK (CA), Studio XX (CA) and Interacess (CA). Darsha is currently an MFA candidate in Open Media at Concordia University and a Research Assistant at Hexagram: Centre for Research-Creation in Media Arts and Technologies. She is also a member of Perte de Signal – one of Québec’s leading digital art collectives.