Growing Objects

Year

2014

Tags

3dprint, art, sculpture

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Our solo exhibition "Growing Objects" explored natural growth processes through simulation and 3D printed sculpture. It was hosted by the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics in Stonybrook, NY in August and September of 2014.

Our work at Nervous System explores processes which cause structure and pattern to emerge in nature. We adapt the logic of these processes into computational tools; translating scientific theories and models of pattern formation into algorithms for design. The exhibit focused on four such computational systems: reaction (2010), xylem / hyphae (2011), laplacian (2011), and florescence (2014). These algorithmic investigations of nature were each documented by digitally fabricated sculptures and a series of posters explaining the math, science and natural inspiration behind them. Each growth process was also illustrated through 3D-printed zoetropes. When in motion, these kinetic sculptures animate the formation of complex forms and when still they allow the viewer to examine each steps of the growth process.

While inspired by natural systems, these sculptures do not directly mimic specific phenomena but are instead open-ended explorations of the mathematics and logic behind them. The generated forms propose a new way of thinking about how we can design or "grow" our environment.

  1. florescence ornata 2

    31 x 21 x 36 cm nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This flower-like form resulted from the growth of a cone grown diff…

  2. florescence ornata 2

    31 x 21 x 36 cm nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This flower-like form resulted from the growth of a cone grown diff…

  3. hyphae crispata 1

    53 x 53 x 20 cmnylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This sculpture is the product of two algorithms. First, the surface…

  4. hyphae crispata 1

    53 x 53 x 20 cmnylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This sculpture is the product of two algorithms. First, the surface…

  5. growing objects - 3D printed zoetropes

    “Growing Objects” is a series of kinetic sculptures that illustrate natural growth processes. Inspired by 19th century zoetropes,…

  6. the Cave - detail

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering A seemingly plain cube comes to life on the inside with each surface displaying an i…

  7. Laplacian Cave

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering A seemingly plain cube comes to life on the inside with each surface displaying an i…

  8. Laplacian Zoetrope

    2014, 3D-printed ABS plastic

  9. Laplacian Growth 1 and 2

    This piece is an instance of growth using a model of 3D isotropic dendritic solidification. The form is grown in a simulation base…

  10. hyphae crispata 1

    53 x 53 x 20 cmnylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This sculpture is the product of two algorithms. First, the surface…

  11. hyphae crispata 1

    53 x 53 x 20 cmnylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This sculpture is the product of two algorithms. First, the surface…

  12. hyphae 3D 2

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  13. hyphae 3D 2

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  14. hyphae 3D 2

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  15. hyphae 3D 2

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  16. hyphae 3D 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selected Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  17. hyphae 3D 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selected Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  18. hyphae 3D 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selected Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  19. Hyphae Zoetrope

    2014, selectively laser sintered nylon

  20. Florescence Zoetrope

    2014, full-color 3D-printed plaster

  21. Reaction Zoetrope

    2014, selectively laser sintered nylon

  22. hyphae 3D 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selected Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  23. hyphae 3D 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selected Laser Sintering This form was grown in a fully 3D reimagining of Nervous System’s Hyphae algorithm.…

  24. florescence cristata 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form resulted from the growth of a hemisphere where growth was promoted along…

  25. florescence ornata 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown differentially from the edge of a hemisphere. The perforations…

  26. florescence ornata 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown differentially from the edge of a hemisphere. The perforations…

  27. florescence ornata 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown differentially from the edge of a hemisphere. The perforations…

  28. florescence crispata 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser SinteringThis form was grown differentially from the edge of a hemisphere.

  29. florescence crispata 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser SinteringThis form was grown differentially from the edge of a hemisphere.

  30. florescence crispata 1

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser SinteringThis form was grown differentially from the edge of a hemisphere.

  31. florescence elysia 1

    25 x 12 x 25 cmfull color 3D printed plaster This is half of a form that grew from a sphere with six holes where growth was promo…

  32. florescence elysia 1

    25 x 12 x 25 cmfull color 3D printed plaster This is half of a form that grew from a sphere with six holes where growth was promo…

  33. florescence elysia 1

    25 x 12 x 25 cmfull color 3D printed plaster This is half of a form that grew from a sphere with six holes where growth was promo…

  34. florescence elysia 1

    25 x 12 x 25 cmfull color 3D printed plaster This is half of a form that grew from a sphere with six holes where growth was promo…

  35. florescence crispata 2

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown differentially from the edge of a hemisphere. A shift in scale…

  36. florescence crispata 2

    nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering This form was grown differentially from the edge of a hemisphere. A shift in scale…

  37. morphostem - growing from the edge

    early test

  38. poster: differential growth 1

  39. poster: differential growth 2

  40. poster: leaf venation 1

  41. poster: leaf venation 2

  42. poster: reaction-diffusion 1

  43. poster: reaction-diffusion 2

  44. poster: laplacian growth 1

  45. poster: laplacian growth 2