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Noted mathematician, Marston Morse once said “Mathematics are the result of mysterious powers which no one understands, and which the unconscious recognition of beauty must play an important part. Out of an infinity of designs a mathematician chooses one pattern for beauty’s sake and pulls it down to earth.” Ahh, enter Bathsheba Grossman…

Part scientist, part mathematician, part programmer, part sculptor; Bathsheba Grossman creates once impossible works of geometric beauty.

To hear Bathsheba describe her work, one might suspect that she spent her personal hours in the math or comp-sci labs while attending art school. She is a delightful techno-geek whose discourse and description are technically precise and scientific in nature.  Her creations are inspired by mathematics and brought forth into the world in their complete forms.  No, not from the brow of Zeus, but rather through the combination of two modern technologies, namely three dimensional computer modeling and three dimensional metal printing.

Though she is now a dedicated full time artist, her past employment has included work as a programmer, college professor, tech writer, typist, and web designer.

Her design concepts often come from her work with clay models, though she sometimes begins with known mathematical shapes.  Still other times, she conceives of an idea in her head and reproduces her vision directly via coded computer scripts which she imports into her 3D modeling software.

Bathsheba compared her use of 3D metal printing to the use of 3D plastic printing which has been in common industrial use for several years: “using some of the same processes [as 3D plastic printing] but with a little metal sintering added on at the end it is possible to do similar operations with metal powder.  Thereby resulting in fully dense metal objects which have the strength, durability and archival nature of steel. But, can also take forms which are impossible to cast, fabricate or really make by any other means at all. So, here I am, working with objects that are impossible to make. If you show these to people who work in metal, they simply fall on the floor, because there is no way to make these things, it’s impossible! …that’s what I consider to be the most interesting new technology in metal, practically since casting was invented.”

Incidentally, I had the opportunity to test this statement. I showed this series of photographs to a local metal machinist. Bathsheba was right, his jaw dropped as he exclaimed the impossibility of creating these shapes in one continuous piece.

“They’re visions of order in the universe; my peaceful places.  I feel calm and hopeful in making them.” says Grossman.

And I have the same experience in viewing them.

Bathsheba also works with glass utilizing sub-surface laser damage to produce 3-dimensional images in glass.

If you find this story interesting, you might also like: Theo Jansen, Kinetic Sculptor

More:
Bathsheba Grossman’s website
MakeMagazine
Ex One 3D Printing

“The walls between art and engineering exist only in our minds” says Theo Jansen, a Dutch artist and Kinetic sculptor.  Jansen uses light weight materials to create life like inspired “animals” which collect the wind into lemonade bottles.  The animals later release their stored energy to roam alone along beaches and deserts.  There is a mystical beauty in his creations.  He has been called the modern day DiVinci.

Bio-mechanical perfection.

Jansen’s mechanical wonders are able to sense their surroundings.  Some can detect the dry sands to change direction before they become stuck.  They can tuck their sails to protect themselves from high winds or even detect the ocean water to reverse their steps and head back towards the dunes.  All of this is achieved through purely mechanical methods.

In Holland, Jansen intends for roaming herds of his mechanical animals to carry sand from the waters edge to the dunes as a method of protecting the dunes from erosion.  These herds will wander along the beaches with no human assistance and no need for power except that which is collected from the wind.

In Jansen’s work, beauty, intelligence and creativity are indistinguishable from one another.

If you liked this story, you may also enjoy: Math to Metal: The Art of Bathsheba Grossman

More Theo Jansen:

Wikipedia

BMW Commercial (1:06)

Strandbeest – The Spirit Within (2:58)

Animaris Rinoceros (0.19)

TED – Ideas Worth Spreading (10:10)

Where the Wild Things Are is an upcoming 2009 film adaptation of the Maurice Sendak children’s book of the same name.  The book has introduced so many children into the addictive world of imagination.  Some of us still live there much of the time!  My children love this book as I did long ago, but I am doubly excited about the movie as the musical score includes one of my recent faves, Arcade Fire which you will hear in this trailer.

The film will be directed by Spike Jonze and written by Dave Eggers and combines live action with suitmation (industry term for a guy in a big monster suit), animatronics and CGI. Its release is currently scheduled for October 16, 2009.  Something to look forward to!

Hand blown glass anatomically correct heart vase?
What says “I love you” more than something that looks like it was torn out of your rib cage by force?  I found this and you know, really, this is truly a beautiful thing.  All jokes aside.  I am not sure where you stick the flowers, but I do know that it would earn a lot of attention the next time your friends and relative s come by for cheese and crackers.

Via Supermarket

This made me look twice, cool bulb from Melissa Borrell.

From: Supermarket