Digital fabrication processes, 3D printing, bioplastic and the union between technology and craftsmanship are the elements that make possible new processes of creation and artwork reproduction, in an absolutely detailed, rapid and economic way.
Fablab Venice was recently involved in the creation of a large-format artworks, in collaboration with the London art-gallery SoShiro and starting from a scale sketch by the artist Arlene Wandera.
The work, with a strong symbolic meaning, represents a female figure wearing a large metal necklace, a symbolic representation of the typical jewels of the pokot people. In fact, the artist’s work focuses on the issues of everyday life and female empowerment.
Manufacturing follows an articulated process, which explores the great potential of digital fabrication in the artistic field: the 20 cm high sketch, created by hand by Wandera, was scanned obtaining a detailed digital model; this was divided into portions and optimized for 3D printing and subsequent assembly.
For the printing phase, Fablab Venezia used Delta WASP 4070 INDUSTRIAL 4.0, Delta WASP 60100 and Delta WASP 3MT with filament extruder, the material used is PLA.
The assembly phase was followed by the post-production and finishing of the sculpture, using special resins and plaster, the process ended with the roller and brush painting.
For the production of the necklace structure, milling, laser cutting, and hot bending techniques were used.
The result is a powerful work, an exact reproduction of the scale model; the English gallery, at its first experience with digital fabrication, was pleasantly impressed by the intrinsic potential of a technology, 3D printing, which is increasingly venturing towards new applications, beyond prototyping in the manufacturing field.
Credits:
Article text and images: Fablab Venezia