Fast forward almost two decades to 2010 and the time is right to hear Matthew Hawtin's story as it comes full circle with the release of his Once Again, Again mix CD. A lovingly constructed compilation that works on many levels, it not only spotlights his involvement in the nineties ambient scene but offers additional insight into the series of exhibitions and art projects that have occupied much of his time since then. Between 1993 and 1998, Matthew was also a regular DJ at Detroit parties like Hardest, Spastik and Heaven and Hell but for him, ambient music offered the more emotional, thoughtful and evocative experience. Subsequently his marathon sets won many plaudits across the American Midwest and his exploits were soon taking him further a field to play at major European events such as Tribal Gathering, Sonar and Time Warp. He was also involved with Plus8 during the label's formative years releasing complementary artwork to Fuse's 'Dimension Intrusion' album and 12" while simultaneously studying Fine Art in Toronto, developing an approach that reflected both the musical and physical environment in which he was immersed. In hindsight, it's no surprise that Matthew was drawn to the more introspective ambient genre, one that encourages meditation on shape, texture and colour within its deep, resonating tones, shimmering melodies and cavernous structures. These same ideas now define his artwork as he seeks to capture feelings that occur during certain moments and translate them into something visual. His work has always possessed a unique connection to music. He used to share studio space with Richie, so the repetitive beats that hammered through the wall were interpreted as repetitive forms, subtle sounds and textures transformed into varying colours and surfaces, and the overall layering of sound developed into a layering of different disciplines; his work ultimately becoming an amalgamation of art, architecture and design. This is acutely reflected by his collections of Torqued paintings (an idea to which he again returned in 2009) and his Untitled installations that explored the idea of 'total space' with each element; the paintings, lighting and room itself interacting to create an atmosphere of totality. As well as Canada and the USA, Matthew has exhibited his work in Germany and the UK. In 2006, he exhibited at the Circleculture gallery in Berlin in connection with the min2MAX Minus compilation, the vinyl edition of which included a limited edition print from the show entitled 'Spatial Study'. Then in 2008, Of Works and Words was premiered at the Lewis Elton Gallery at the University of Surrey, UK (where he is currently studying for an MSc. in Sustainable Development to add to his MA in Art in Architecture). By far the most personal and revealing of his collections, it is also arguably the most breathtaking utilizing strict guidelines that included the use of discarded materials only, and the necessity to complete each piece on the same day they were salvaged. The work also includes a journal that records the daily soul searching, inspiration and occasional doubt that accompanies every artist through the production process and gives the collection its unique charm and appeal. Symmetry, bleeding edges, infinitely repetitive layers, contrasting textures and hidden messages etched across foreign objects are all present here...as they are throughout Once Again, Again. It's no coincidence. Matthew Hawtin's ability to translate his artistic vision across mediums, his awareness of our responsibility to the environment and the way he increasingly seems to be merging the two, are perfectly in tune with the times and denote the beginning of an intriguing chapter in his slow burning career.