Firewall
2005, Sandy Smith

The Firewall was a 10ft high wall, entirely made from computer equipment, that divided the gallery space in two. It uses around 90 computers and 26 monitors, and uses music from Daft Punk’s “Homework” album.
As all the computers face the same direction, it creates 2 distinctly different spaces, which the viewer must move under an arch of monitors to walk from one side to another. The monitors display standard Windows/Apple desktops, but with different flat colour backgrounds. These monitors light the front space with a strange fragmented light, while the rear space is lit by a small sodium lamp, positioned facing the corner to dull the light.

Click on a thumbnail below to see a large version of the photograph.

Many thanks to The Glasgow School of Art for donating the computers used to create this piece.