Dehumanised Shock Absorbers by Jay Capperauld

Dehumanised Shock Absorbers is derived from a device present in portable CD players called, Electronic Skip Protection. This device was introduced to portable CD Players in order to preserve auditory enjoyment by preventing the occurrence of blips, skips and technological errors should the CD Player be jolted or impacted when in use. Some Electronic Skip Protectors employ the use of Shock Absorbers (that convert the impacted energy into static energy so that the impact can have no effect on the delicate CD within) whose aim is to ensure the efficient and successful operation of this technology.

However, more interesting results occur in the way this technology malfunctions when the shock absorbers miss certain impacts, causing the CD to skip. In this piece, there is an attempt to recreate this effect within the ensemble, but, there is an issue in that; the piece is attempting to recreate technological malfunction in an ensemble of living beings who (inherent to the human condition) are capable of making mistakes at the best of times. Therefore, instead of attempting to personify technology to recreate a skipping CD in a human way; this piece attempts to dehumaise the ensemble to recreate these mistakes in the most accurate way possible for humans to do so.

Thusly, the ensemble takes on the role of a malfunctioning CD Player; in effect, dehumanising the performers by taking away their humanistic right to make mistakes and asking them to intentionally perform the mistakes of a broken machine.

This work achieved 1st prize in the Workers Union Ensemble's inaugural Heidi Cupp Award 2013.

Performed by Workers Union Ensemble http://www.workersunionensemble.co.uk

Recorded by Darby Carroll at Turner Sims Concert Hall, 28th October 2013.