The immersive film 'Depth of Discharge' translates the seductive, captivating magic of 18th-century enlightenment demonstrations into an abstract exploration of the roots of the nine different units used to measure electricity.

The film is made with a high voltage electro-photography technique in which the artist uses a discharge plate made from a tin-coated sheet, the same material as used in touch screen devices. The sound composition is composed of recordings of the electric discharge on different frequencies.

The film features electrified objects associated with technology and energy use, including minerals with lithium, coal, circuit boards, copper wires, and personal devices.

By making microscopic electric interactions visible, electricity becomes an actor, adopting an almost animistic character.

CREDITS

Directed by: Marjolijn Dijkman
Sound composition by: Pom Bouvier-b.
Editing by: Inneke Van Waeyenberghe
Assistant editing: Léo Ghysels
Colour grading: Miléna Trivier
Electro-technician: Lukas Pol
Produced in the framework of: On-Trade-Off
Supported by: Mondriaan Fund

More about Marjolijn Dijkman