I have a new exhibition coming up in Akron, Ohio as part of an artist in residence stay at the Myers School of Art. Titled "ElectroPlastiques", it is my first ever solo show. Interesting that it would take a show in the US for that to happen, although not really so surprising given that the European media art scene is geared towards festivals. The exceptions are the few European media artists who have found gallery representation, a process that seems to be going even slower in Europe than in the US.
I’m using this show to highlight some of the existing topics of my work with realtime animation, as well as a new direction dealing with physical output. I will screen a series of my generative animations, such as Neon Organic, ElectroPlastique #1 & #2 and Illuminations A. These pieces explore the plastic qualities of parametric software processes, where a single set of rules gives rise to an infinite sequence of possible configurations. The title of the show is intended to refer to the plasticity of digital media.
As a counter-point, I will be showing manifestations of my work in physical formats, where animation gives way to other qualities. My rapid prototyping pieces Object #1 - #3 and new work like the Grid distortion laser cuts explore the tactile possibilities of digital fabrication, while prints like the Packing series go beyond the limited resolution of the screen to explore issues of graphic detail.
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02:21 | March 22nd, 2008 | marius watz | +del.icio.us | +digg | trackback
I just got an email with images from Lenny at HyperWerk, turns out my first foray into the world of CNC milling is done. And it looks better than I had ever expected, which is great news for me since I can now use it for my upcoming ElectroPlastiques solo show in Akron, Ohio next week.
The radial milling paths really make the piece come alive, of course it doesn’t hurt that Corian is such a beautiful material to begin with. I’ll definitely have to explore CNC more as a possible output medium, it provides some of the fine detail of rapid prototyping while allowing for much larger pieces. And the organic quality provided by the milling paths is very appealing, especially considering the digital origin of the form.
See my Flickr stream for more images. My thanks to Andreas and Lenny for their help with milling and photos!
02:15 | March 12th, 2008 | marius watz | +del.icio.us | +digg | trackback
We’re making good progress at the HyperWerk digital fabrication workshop, see the new Fabbing @ HyperWerk Flickr group for details.
12:51 | February 27th, 2008 | marius watz | +del.icio.us | +digg | trackback
Digital fabrication tools like CNC milling and laser cutting impose their own restrictions on production, such as what materials can used and what size objects can be processed. Additionally, in order to produce a 3D form using a 2D technique like laser cutting, some way must be found for translating 3D into 2D and back again.
Possible fabrication strategies
- Contouring and volumetric cross-sections (#1, #2, #3)
- Unfolding (for example using Lamina)
- Interlocking assembly (#1, #2)
- CNC-milled relief (#1, #2)
For a more complete list of strategies, look at this page from Ball State University. The PDF they link to contains a ton of great examples.
11:20 | February 19th, 2008 | marius watz | +del.icio.us | +digg | trackback
09:15 | February 19th, 2008 | marius watz | +del.icio.us | +digg | trackback
I’m at HyperWerk in Basel, Switzerland teaching a workshop in parametric design for the next two weeks. Files will be uploaded to the following address:
http://workshop.evolutionzone.com/workshops/080218_hyperwerk/
Task for the day:
- Find an example of a project involving parametric design or rapid manufacturing.
- Prepare to give a 3 minute presentation of the project and explain why you think it’s a good example of parametric design.
15:08 | February 18th, 2008 | marius watz | +del.icio.us | +digg | trackback
The Generator.x 2.0: Beyond the Screen workshop and exhibition kicks off in Berlin this Thursday. In addition to the workshop there will be two evenings of presentations open to the general public, intended to bring the topics of the workshop to a larger audience.
The presentations will take place at the Ballhaus Naunynstrasse, which is also the venue for the workshop. If you’re in Berlin I hope to see you there!
Generator.x 2.0: Presentations #1 - Thu 24 Jan, 19:00 - 21:00
- Keynote: Marius Watz [NO]
- Boris Müller [DE]
- Satoru Sugihara - Morphosis [JP/US]
- Eno Henze [DE]
Generator.x 2.0: Presentations #2 - Mon 28 Jan, 19:00 - 21:00
- Aram Bartholl [DE]
- David Dessens [FR/DE]
- Tim Schork - MESNE [DE/AUS]
- Skylar Tibbits - Theverymany [US]
See the Club Transmediale site for a full list of Generator.x 2.0 events. Documentation of the event will be posted on the Generator.x blog and Flickr group as it becomes available.
04:57 | January 23rd, 2008 | marius watz | +del.icio.us | +digg | trackback
