Sandy Ewen brings her solo guitar improvisations to Exile Off Main Street

Secret Weave and the Shaking Ray Levi Society are presenting solo guitar improvisations by Sandy Ewen, a sound artist, visual artist and architect, Thursday, Jan. 30, at Exile Off Main Street.

Ewen's practice focuses on extended guitar techniques, improvisation, graphic scores and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her unusual approach to guitar incorporates a wide array of implements - railroad spikes, sidewalk chalk, threaded bolts and steel wool, for example.

Ewen has worked with filmmakers, dancers, poets and musicians to create films, audio recordings, sound interventions and performance art. Her musical collaborations include the trio Etched in the Eye, a duo with Tom Carter called Spiderwebs, the trio Garden Medium and collaborations with percussionist Weasel Walter and bassist Damon Smith.

For nearly 10 years, Ewen has been the leader of an all-female large ensemble that performs sound and performance art. She has spent much of the last few years touring, performing solo sets and collaborations with Steve Jansen (tapes and electronics) and Maria Chavez (turntables) around Europe.