Art group Pussykrew ‘Materia’ DIY 3D printing techniques to produce “melting” sculptures series:
For this project, we’ve been using an Ultimaker 2, printing in PLA and using acrylic paint for finishing the objects. Post-processing of the prints has included polishing, sanding and painting. The tools that we have used have included:
- Wet and dry sandpaper
- A mini grinder
- Glue [for connecting the parts of the object – most of the sculptures were printed in two parts, as the Ultimaker’s print volume is 20 x 23 cm and we were keen to print larger objects.]
- Car putty for fixing the borders
- An airbrush for painting
- Plastic primer
- And various types of paint, including acrylic spray, airbrush paint, car paint and model paint.
We’ve been working with 3D animations for the last few years, developing visual works that convey a sculptural quality – aestheticized, sensual – almost tangible. In our projects, we often explore physicality, materiality issues, bodily queerness and the constant mutation between synthetic-organic structures.
As a natural consequence of working with computer generated imagery, we’ve decided to transform our video creations into material forms and develop objects that express similar aesthetics to 3D rendered art and internet-based creations, to the point that it will be difficult to distinguish the CGI from the physical object. We strive to accent the fusion of virtual and material environment and the constant state of flux.
Materia is our first series of 3D printed sculptures. Created objects are inspired by classical sculpture, yet traditional bodily forms are deconstructed – ‘computer affected’. Digitally processed organic structures are changed into abstract shapes, manifesting the spirit of the post-digital / post-human. Within the design process, we’ve used various effects and 3D simulations to achieve interesting forms that correspond with current net-art / hyper-virtual aesthetics. The project conveys a modern version of classical beauty, blurring the borders between artificial and natural, virtual and material.
Every Thursday is #3dthursday here at Adafruit! The DIY 3D printing community has passion and dedication for making solid objects from digital models. Recently, we have noticed electronics projects integrated with 3D printed enclosures, brackets, and sculptures, so each Thursday we celebrate and highlight these bold pioneers!
Have you considered building a 3D project around an Arduino or other microcontroller? How about printing a bracket to mount your Raspberry Pi to the back of your HD monitor? And don’t forget the countless LED projects that are possible when you are modeling your projects in 3D!
The Adafruit Learning System has dozens of great tools to get you well on your way to creating incredible works of engineering, interactive art, and design with your 3D printer! We also offer the LulzBot TAZ – Open source 3D Printer and the Printrbot Simple Metal 3D Printer in our store. If you’ve made a cool project that combines 3D printing and electronics, be sure to let us know, and we’ll feature it here!