Photo of guest writer Bishi by Gaynor Perry

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) have always had an intimate relationship with The Arts; WITCiH aims to explore and expand our knowledge of women working at that intersection- past, present and future. Infact WITCiH consider all areas of STEM as creative. 

Founded by interdisciplinary audio-visual musicians, artists and performers Bishi and Matthew Hardern AKA Glamorre, WITCiH is an online and real world platform for research, creation, performance and networking.

Here, as WITCiH present their first round of Autumn Salons, co-founder Bishi explains exactly why it’s time to celebrate the achievements of women at the cross section of The Arts and STEM.

As a Vocalist/Songwriter/Musician, my live performance work has been realised as collaborative audio-visual stage works, influenced by people such as Laurie Anderson, Meredith Monk, Philip Glass, Pink Floyd, Cornelius and Jean Paul-Goude. Despite living in a multi-plat formed world, crowded with smart phones and social media, creative industries struggle to represent multidisciplinary individuals and new media artists who cross-pollinate with STEM. {Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.}

There are depressing statistics about the representation of Women in Tech and the gender pay gap. Using my background in queer alternative nightclubs, I saw a potential of bringing people together as a way to address these issues.

WITCiH is The Women in Technology Creative Industries Hub. I co-founded WITCiH with new media artist Matthew Hardern aka Glamorre, as a way of creating a forum to celebrate the ideas and achievements of women in technology at the intersection of The Arts andSTEM. In my opinion, the only way to change perceptions and readdress a gender imbalance is to focus on the contributions women make to technology.

Hardern and I have a history of multidisciplinary music and audiovisual performance with the album and stage show, ‘Albion Voice.’ We also have co-founded clubs, such as Kashpoint and The Siren Suite, both music focused and performance based but exploring culture, politics and gender identity. We are inspired by the energy created in the collision of artistic worlds and in identifying creative communities with shared ideals.

Whilst touring ‘Albion Voice, I kept meeting brilliant women, pushing the boundaries and narratives of creative technology, who feel both under-represented yet defiant and energized by potentials within creative technology.

WITCiH has been formed through a feeling of being unrepresented, but I firmly believe that a rejection of sorts, is the key to exploration andopening the paths of opportunity. I believe in the DIY punk ethos: defining your spaceyou’re your own terms. WITCiH welcoms people to collaborate.

In 2014, I was commissioned by The Science Gallery to make a piece with the sound of my brain waves, recorded at Guy’s Hospital sleep clinic. The result, ‘In Sleep,’ was a collaboration with composer, Neil Kaczor.’ The sounds of my brain Waves were woven through Shakespeare’s Sonnet 43, which I arranged for 10 voices. This experience really opened my eyes to the creative potential between STEM and The Arts.

WITCiH is female focused yet welcoming to all people throughout the spectrum of gender and identity. I feel with the current global political climate, it is important to not be separatist. All are welcome. WITCiH aims to educate and inspire an understanding of Women in Tech set in an historical context. Not only do I meet incredible women both online and in real life, but WITCiH enables me to learn about pioneers.

WITCiH curate and produce exhibitions, lectures, workshops and performances to highlight the art and achievements of Women in Tech and to inspire others to embrace the expansive opportunities that technology makes available. Currently London based, WITCiH aims to expand globally.

These Autumn Salons, held on the first Wednesday of October, November and December at The Bargehouse in Haggerston are about starting to build a community. Our inaugural Autumn Salon included a lecture and demonstration from Chagall of the mi.mu gloves team and a lecture from Scissor Sister’s, Ana Matronic on Gender and Robots, inspired from her book, ‘Robot Takeover.’ You can watch video snippets on our Facebook page.

At Our Autumn Salon this week, on Wednesday 2nd November, WITCiH are honored to curate a performance from Anat Ben-David’s new Opera, ‘Kairos,’ a lecture from Composer, Mira Calix and I’ll be performing some new harmonic experiments from my Loop Station.

Women In Technology Creative Industries Hub: Autumn Salon at Barge House on Wednesday 2nd November 

Click here for tickets

Here for Run Riot listing

Find more information on Barge House, Haggerston, here

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If you’ve missed this month’s WITCiH, the next salon will be held on the first Wednesday of December at Barge House, Haggerston.