Ring Samples

I went into the summer with some Rhino goals in mind, and I've been slowly working through a few of them with a series of ring samples. One of the goals was to increase my "organic" design skills, so I started with exploring curve networks. Coupling these curve networks with some solid primitive forms got me some simple but effective sample ring designs I was able to upload to Shapeways and get printed in a variety of materials. I think these samples will also be helpful to my students in ART277. I got various ring sizes printed to check the tolerances of printing, attempted to incorporate a "tension" held rutilated quartz stone and pushed scale limits. I've gotten about half of the rings from Shapeways, see below. TBC.

On the right in Pink - a stock band I created with curve network, attached to all ring samples. Left - Rutilated capture ring. 

Process capture of creating designs from solids.

With this ring, I tried to go as tight as possible to the minimum limit of material thickness for the top design. I'm calling it the "bite ring." I learned a lot trying to create the curve network for the top.  

The aluminum plastic on the left is hilarious to me because the design I created is meant to reference hammer texture. Oh, metalsmith humor. 

[in]tangible ft. iAm connected

For the 2016 Zoom Conference, I co-curated an exhibition of current and recently graduated MFA/MA artist works from students across the US. We installed the show on the 4th Floor of the Kenilworth Building. Below are some images I shot quickly of the opening. See also the beautiful curatorial statement written by my co-curator. 

For this show, I installed two of my CNC machined socket pieces from the ceiling on opposite sides of the gallery. I mostly wanted to observe how people reacted to the pieces. Some people actually tried the earplugs on and hoped for sound, and ultimately were disappointed or intrigued and looked up to towards the ceiling. Some people didn't even notice the pieces, or that there were two of them. Some people were startled by their presence. And, some people asked, "so what's this all about?" 

I am so happy with all of these responses.   

I am continually thinking about connections through the iAm series; technologically mediated connection, interpersonal connection, physical connection and touch, spiritual/divine connection, and connection to the universe, space, and time. Some people are so disconnected from some of these relationships that they are perplexed when they have an encounter. Some people are critical of their connected relationships have huge expectations, and are left ultimately disappointed. Some people don't even notice their connections and some notice their connections in hindsight. 

iAm, like a spider suspended, waiting for something to land on or intercept, and remind that we are the creator of our universe and web of connection. 

iAm packaging

Through this series of renderings, I am starting to consider the iAm project as a mindful, seemingly technological, product for mass consumption. These are my initial sketches for an internal packing method. I imagine expanding on this to include an insert about how to assemble the object, how to use the object, etc. All of this encased in a larger die formed or vacuum-formed container branded for sale.


















Design for Digital Fabrication - Student Work - Vinyl Tattoo

Art277 - Design for Digital Fabrication
Vinyl Tattoo

For this project students were asked to look to tattoos as inspiration for creating body adornment. They started with sketches, converted those into Rhino curves, and then output the design to the vinyl cutter, cleaned up the sticker and then stuck it on the body/clothing.  


















Design for Digital Fabrication - Student Work - Pendent Lamps

 ART277 - Design for Digital Fabrication
Pendent Lamp - Renderings & Prototypes

For this project, students were asked to create a flat pack pendent lamp. They started by drawing the designs by hand, translated those into rhino and created a .3dm, rendered it, and then built a prototype from their files. They were encouraged to combine multiple processes from the class that they had learned so far: 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting. Here are a few renderings and projects exhibited at Arts Tech Night at Kenilworth.







































Design for Digital Fabrication - Student Work - 3D Printed Ring Documentation off the Body

ART277 - Design for Digital Fabrication
3D Printed Architecture Inspired Ring

For this project, students used Rhino to design a ring inspired by architecture. Students printed their own preliminary ring size tests on the Makerbots in the DCRL, and then got the final designs printed through Shapeways. They all fit!































Design for Digital Fabrication - Student Work - 3D Printed Ring Documentation on the Body

ART277 - Design for Digital Fabrication
3D Printed Architecture Inspired Ring

For this project, students used Rhino to design a ring inspired by architecture. Students printed their own preliminary ring size tests on the Makerbots in the DCRL, and then got the final designs printed through Shapeways. They all fit!
























iAm - sockets

A couple weeks ago I started experimenting with plasti-flex, the material I am casting the iAm sockets out of. This part is currently functioning as an interface with the wall, a transitioning material. The initial mold was created out of a 3D printed prototype and some left over Oomoo rubber. I wanted to test out the plasti-flex so when I heard someone in the studio had some extra rubber, I just quickly grabbed the test print and a Tupperware to make a test mold. The makeshift mold allowed me to quickly test the colors and flexibility of the material. The fit turned out really nice. 
I've since re-designed and machined a new socket piece for the final mold and have poured some ReoFlex30 over it. I should have some really nice sockets once this mold is ready to be used. TBC

















Compact Mirror - Progress 3/6

I dropped the compact mirror project off to A.Werner Silversmith's last week to be plated. I should be getting it back sometime this week. I am so excited to see this project almost complete. Here are some shots of the progress I made over the last few weeks on the project;













I cast insulation material for the electronics, made a large dent in the bottom piece, made a "stake" out of a spoon to remove the dent, removed the dent as best I could, sandblasted the inside, polished the outside....


Stand alone? iAm

After rendering the pieces on the wall, I started to wonder what it would look like if they were all mounted onto a stand alone steel frame... I like how minimal the wall version looks compared to this... I wonder what this would look like suspended from the ceiling vs. coming up from the floor. The desert shot makes me chuckle. 













DFD & Frank Stella's Retrospective

On the way back from Spain I had a connecting flight in New York, so I decided to stay for a night and check out the Whitney Museum since I hadn't been before. After viewing the collection I made my way into the Frank Stella Retrospective, and oh baby did I fall in love with his work. I had seen many of his paintings before in books, but had never seen his sculptural "paintings." I am so glad I got the audio guide -- Stella was influenced by architectural structures and tools, something I can definitely relate too. Here are a few of my favorite pieces --- and I am especially thrilled about the most recent body of work of gray-scale sculptures created using digital fabrication processes!!!




La penna di hu, 1987-2009
Mixed media on etched magnesium, aluminum and fiberglass
La penna di hu, 1987-2009
Mixed media on etched magnesium, aluminum and fiberglass -- Side View



K.459, 2012
Tusk SolidGrey 3000, plexiglass, and steel pipe

K.459, 2012
Tusk SolidGrey 3000, plexiglass, and steel pipe

K.459, 2012
Tusk SolidGrey 3000, plexiglass, and steel pipe

K.459, 2012
Tusk SolidGrey 3000, plexiglass, and steel pipe


Circus of Pure Feeling for Malevich, 4 Square Circus, 16 Parts,2009
Stainless steel tubing, wire, Protogen RPT

Circus of Pure Feeling for Malevich, 4 Square Circus, 16 Parts,2009
Stainless steel tubing, wire, Protogen RPT


And of course, some 3D printed Stella ornaments in the gift shop -- Stella knows what's up.

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia - Antoni Gaudi

I visited the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona over winter break. I knew that I was going to be in awe of the architecture, but I hadn't considered the possibility of finding something so familiar. As I came upon the structure I started having the nerdiest thoughts, "I wonder if they did that with a CNC? I bet they did that with a CNC! I could do that. I can't believe this entire thing is being built with a CNC!" The entire thing hasn't been built with a CNC because they started construction in the late 1800's but, a lot of today's fabrication is... It's pretty amazing to walk around the outside and inside of the basilica and to be able to notice process in the aesthetics.








 I absolutely loved how the lights on the capitals reminded me of cabochon jewels, but also fruit hanging from the palm trees.

The light through the windows was absolutely stunning, these images don't do it nearly enough justice. 













Every single detail has been considered. 





These giant metal doors made me drool.














 THIS WAS THE ICING ON THE CAKE: 
 Below the Basilica was a whole museum dedicated to the process that housed many original architectural models, drawings and current models and drawings. 






 When we walked by this room Tom goes, "Look, their own DCRL!" Be still my heart.

 I'd love to see the crew in action. 



We rode the elevator up to the top of one of the towers and walked down the spiral staircase. It was actually terrifying because it was so windy, but the structure didn't move at all... so that was reassuring. The tops of the towers have mosaic "finial" type structures of fruit and vegetables. They catch the light just right. 







Making a 3D Printer - Control Box

I made a box out of MDF to house the electronics for my 3D Printer. I started with some rough sketches, cut the 1/2" MDF on the table saw and then the 1/4" on the laser cutter. Here's what I've got so far: 





 It took a lot of trouble shooting to get the alignment just right. 




Both of the sides slide out for easy access to the electronics. 
Eventually I will paint the box after drilling a few holes in the top for the cords to go through.