Home / Timeline / 2015 / August
Album Published

Laplacian Zoetrope (1 new item)

3D printed ABS, acrylic, MDF, electronics, LEDs Branching forms emerge as the zoetrope spins illustrating dendritic solidification, a process where crystals grow in a supercooled environment. 18.25 x 18.25 inches

Album Published

Reaction Zoetrope (1 new item)

selectively laser sintered nylon, MDF, electronics, LEDs This zoetrope illustrates two scales of reaction-diffusion affecting the growth of a sphere. Rather than there being multiple objects, one for each frame, this zoetrope is a seamless sculpture representing the progression of the simulation through time much like a slitscanned photograph moves through time and space. 18 x 18 x 21 inches

Album Published

Florescence Zoetrope (1 new item)

full color 3D printed plaster, MDF, acrylic, electronics, LEDs The differential growth of a fan-shaped surface is animated as the zoetrope spins. The distance from the growing edge is illustrated by a color gradient from yellow to blue. 18.5 x 18.5 inches

Album Published

Hyphae Zoetrope (1 new item)

nylon 3D printed by Selective Laser Sintering, MDF, electronics, LEDs A tree-like form with two leaves grows as the disc spins. The zoetrope illustrates Nervous System’s leaf venation inspired algorithm, hyphae, as it grows across 3D surfaces. 30.5 x 30.5 x 21 inches

Album Published

Growing Objects (1 new item)

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.

3dprint art sculpture