Sarah Lauren Holloway

My practice explores the material histories and design of computational objects, with an interest in sharing the historical ties computation has to the history of craft. Through my work I explore how traditional craft techniques can be brought into the creation of domestic technologies like wifi router boxes and PC gaming computers.

I believe computation can and should be reinterpreted as a craft discipline and integrated into the history of craft. Craft technologies already have a historical impetus in modern computation. For example, the jacquard loom is often regarded as the precursor to modern computation, and the inventor of copper-printed computer chips drew inspiration from historical printmaking techniques. Yet, computation is frequently siloed, detaching its discourse and history from other fields with deeper traditions of human innovation. These histories reveal the craft-based foundations of computing and suggest that craft frameworks are preexistent in the design of computational technology. I am inspired by these histories and seek to honor these moments by reintegrating craft into computation.

My hand-hewn objects honor historical craft lineages while challenging the status quo of today’s black-box designed electronics, exemplified by sleek, plastic and aluminum cases that deny users material knowledge and agency by obscuring use and repairability in their designs. Black-box design neglects users and the environment by preventing an understanding of consumer electronics and promoting e-waste through the constant disposal of electronics disguised as “updates.” I seek to question these conventions through craft, challenging the perception of technology as ephemeral and untouchable.

sarah [at] sarahholloway.net