Interspecies Transmission focuses on body language, physical traits, and specific characteristics of selected animals as a structure to develop various multimedia works. Growing from initial impulses such as heart rates, body language, bones, and fur, the work pushes and pulls between the synthetic and the natural, suspended in ambiguous hypnotic manifestations.

Hackett uses painting to trap, isolate and transform sections of images both moving and stationary. Much like an electronic musician might sample a beat and transform it into something new, Hackett uses paint to “sample” part of an image and transform it according to the images anatomical clues. The result is an image that grows through a system of atmospheric channel-like extensions.

The installation, Hive Transmissions 9/13/08-10/13/08, positions the honeybee as performer. The bee hive is attached to a microphone and a system of sound processing equipment organized to receive and transform the sounds from the hive. These sounds are taken in real time and interpreted through effect processors creating a transition from the agitated state of the hive to the serene yet complex sound environment emerging from the system. The bees essentially perform a one month long set of ambient electronic music born from the sounds circulating through the hive.