Union Hall Denver

We worm raved, we flowed as trees, we channeled our inner frog, and welcomed a season of abundance and renewal. 🪱🐸🌼🌱 Thank you to Courtney Osaka-Durgin and friends of the Japanese Arts Network for producing a memorable evening of silliness and play!

Work rave installation by Elizabeth Kirchmeier
Spoken word by James Brunt
Soothing guitar by Matthew Ozaki-Durgin
Taiko drumming by Courtney Ozaki-Durgin
Voice/dance performance and tree improv by Gwendolyn Gussman

The Wild Bloom: Spring Performance Series continues at Union Hall for one more night of fun this Saturday, May 30th! Don’t miss it.

Sound System culture emerged as a means of survival and celebration during post-war, pre-independence Kingston, Jamaica. Exhibiting artist Darrien Williamson, builder of Dem Deya Sound System, continues this tradition. From constructing speakers to producing music, Williamson brings people together through audio parties and by expanding into design, furniture, and sculptural objects with Asé Continuum, a practice rooted in the Yoruba concept of asé, the spiritual power to create.

Within the exhibition Drexciya: Into the Deep, curated by Sierra Jeter, one of Williamson’s fully-functional, custom-designed, hand-built sound systems pays homage to the tools and genres that had a heavy influence in 20th-century Black musical expression. The base of the Williamson’s sounsystem is inspired by designs from the 80’s, and the horns on top are inspired by designs from the 30’s. The setup within this exhibition is just half of the original design, yet Williamson, who goes by the DJ name Scarien, was able to blow away audiences with a live performance during the opening reception in March and an intimate vinyl session in April.

provided technical and visual support for this installation at Union Hall, bringing in movement and contextual storytelling to the Drexciyan mythology from which this exhibition is derived.

There’s only one more day to witness the designs of Dem Deya sound systems! Afterward, follow along for future music events.

📸 Photos by Helen Yoseph and Raymundo Muñoz