Signal To Noise
2012
Diameter 340 cm , Height 183cm
Manuel Abendroth, Jérôme Decock, Els Vermang
![A visitor inside Signal to Noise by LAb[au], surrounded by a curved display of white and red letters in a dark space.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_1cd6c920919542a3b42ea0ea28cae4f7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_1cd6c920919542a3b42ea0ea28cae4f7~mv2.jpg)
![Visitors behind the curved letter displays of Signal to Noise by LAb[au], with supporting framework and electronics visible below.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_231cfba3294a4d1da8bb5749a5a5d90e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_231cfba3294a4d1da8bb5749a5a5d90e~mv2.jpg)
![Angled close-up of Signal to Noise by LAb[au], showing rows of mechanical split-flap displays with white and red letters.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_b0501be976bf4b94b70c6c71d165359b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_b0501be976bf4b94b70c6c71d165359b~mv2.jpg)
![Detail of Signal to Noise by LAb[au], with the word BASS in red among rows of white letters on black split-flap displays.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_04bd452b22814cefb5c4389df683fbc3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_04bd452b22814cefb5c4389df683fbc3~mv2.jpg)
![Frontal close-up of Signal to Noise by LAb[au], showing a grid of black split-flap displays with white and red letters.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_86160a0bf75244aaac55df0c28e8f7d6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_86160a0bf75244aaac55df0c28e8f7d6~mv2.jpg)
abstract
512 split-flaps spin at random speeds, surrounding viewers with an endless stream of letters that occasionally form words. Their familiar clicking evokes the pre-digital jet age while prompting reflections on logic and meaning.
dimensions
self carrying structure
material
Aluminium structure, 512 split-flaps, custom-made electronics
![Rear detail of Signal to Noise by LAb[au] at DAM Gallery, Berlin, showing rows of split-flap mechanisms along the curved structure.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_f9ac763bc9e24a66813eeb7b119adf7a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_f9ac763bc9e24a66813eeb7b119adf7a~mv2.jpg)
![White and red letters on the curved split-flap displays of Signal to Noise by LAb[au] at DAM Gallery, Berlin.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_356372ff620c4aab811fefd130313f2f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_356372ff620c4aab811fefd130313f2f~mv2.jpg)
![Signal to Noise by LAb[au] at DAM Gallery, Berlin, showing the circular structure on metal supports in a white exhibition space.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_45cc9ce3faba4e1b85ff567e73ff3725~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_45cc9ce3faba4e1b85ff567e73ff3725~mv2.jpg)
![Signal to Noise by LAb[au], showing the circular band of split-flap displays on metal supports, with letters visible on its inner surface.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_68809d8488e84e99a34b583da623dfa4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_68809d8488e84e99a34b583da623dfa4~mv2.jpg)
![View from above of Signal to Noise by LAb[au], showing the ring of split-flap displays surrounding an open central space.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_f0d40e5899c24d6e8da052ea64dd88d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1940,h_1599,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_f0d40e5899c24d6e8da052ea64dd88d2~mv2.jpg)
![Three black split-flap modules of different sizes used in Signal to Noise by LAb[au], displaying white characters with their mechanisms visible.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb1d51_b3c69c8b3cc642359337154558fc48f3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_2592,h_1944,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/fb1d51_b3c69c8b3cc642359337154558fc48f3~mv2.jpg)
project text
<h2 class="font_2">The random flow of comprehensible words confronts the visitor with the infinite appearance of words, significations and associations. The aim is not to deliver a limited amount of possibilities equalling a single messages, but to provide endless emergence. The circular installation invites the visitor to plunge into an audiovisual composition within the centre of an auto-poetic machine. + What was the inspiration for the piece? Also, what is the message or statement you’re trying to convey? </h2>
<p class="font_8">...</p>
<p class="font_8"><br></p>
<p class="font_8">read further <a href="https://www.lab-au.com/interview/wired"><u>wired interview</u></a></p>
history
2017 ___ Interstice festival, Le Dome, Caen, France
2016 ___ Biennale Nemo, group show, Centquatre, Paris, France
2016 ___ Terminal P, group show, La Panacée, Montpellier
2014 ___ Artist:Novelist, group show, MOMA, New York
2014 ___ Physicality, group show, Musée d'art contemporain, Montreal, Canada
2014 ___ writing, drawing,...., solo-show, DAM Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2013 ___ Scopitone festival, group show, Le Lieu Unique, Nantes, France
2012 ___ Ososphere, group show, La COOP, Strasbourg, France
2012 ___ Luminato, group show, Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada
2012 ___ S:N, MediaRuimte, Brussels