mixer, LED, PV panel, matches, laser pointer, fire lighter
Swap Gap explores the variability of electrical systems by opening them up to external energies. A single loop of feedback between the input and out of a small mixing desk is is interrupted by a physical gap. On the output side of the gap, the audio signal provides enough current to light an orange LED; 10 cm away, a small postage stamp-sized photovoltaic panel gathers that light energy from the LED to complete the circuit, which produces only a slight hiss until a lit match enters the gap, noisily disturbing the equilibrium.
In the second part of the work, the LED is replaced by a laser pointer, and the flame from the matches by sparks from a fire lighter.
PETER BLAMEY 