ANGUS WHITTY

1000 discarded lighters were collected on beaches.  These were cleaned, de-gassed, and all the internal components removed (to be used in other art works as part of the 1000 Lighters Project).  The lighter shells were constructed into a single giant lighter - scaling up approximately 10 times.  A series of LED lights inside the giant lighter create a colourful gestalt.  Photo taken in artist's studio.

The internal polycarbonate filaments found inside each lighter were extracted from 1000 of these collected on beaches.  A small metal bush slides up and down the length of each filament operating as a valve allowing gas to escape into the external chamber where a spark creates a flame.  In this installation the filaments and bushes were inserted spirally onto 3 coloured plastic sheaths (normally used to insulate copper wire) and these were curved into 3 concentric wheels.  These in turn each have hubs made from various plastic lids (found on beaches), the spokes for which are made from found fishing gut.  A central axle allows the 3 wheels to revolve concentrically.  While spinning the movement of the metal bushes up and down the filaments creates a sound like trickling water in a stream.
 

This tapestry was made from the levers and inserts found on lighters.

In this artwork the heads of the 1000 lighters have been removed and framed into a continuing outward spiral.