2. Digital bodies¶
Research & Ideation¶
For this subject, digital bodies, it was first tricky to imagine something as I wasn't very inspired about the material (cardboard); this is not much a material I would have choosen myself. Then I started to realise through works of pasts years that laser cutting gave the cardboard a very organic shape when it was assembled and it made me think about mycelium shapes. The idea to create a fungi-human came to mind at this point.
References & Inspiration¶
I got inspired by artists and sculptors who have always fascinated me, such as David Altmejd, Bart Hess or recently discovered Aron Demetz. I am very drawn to these aesthetics, very organic and with a touch of surnatural, as the intersection of haute-couture and fantasy films.
Process and workflow¶
3d scanner¶
(fichier stl)
I experimented the 3D scanner as a way to explore my portrait and have a base for future physical modification. Nevertheless, I realised my aesthetics wouldn't fit with the kind of fantasy human I wanted to showcase.
Make Human¶
{ align=center} (fichier stl)
I created a human portrait and tried to subtely deform human features so that it appears bizarre but still human. Ears made me think about mushrooms in their aesthetics so I try to focus on them : on the right the biggest, on the left the smallest.
Rhino 3D¶
I then worked on the model in Rhino 3D to cut precisely and properly the bust; so that it becomes a full object.
(fichier stl)
Meshmixer¶
I opened the file into Meshmixer so that I could add more texture and get a more organic character.
(fichier obj)
Slicer¶
I digitally cut out the character in the software Slicer, in front view. I chose to superimpose the sheets of cardboard rather than interweave them, in order to find the mycelium effect texture I was looking for.
The software created a doc that I could use for laser cutting.
Inkscape¶
I opened the file in Inskape so that I could adjust the parameters to make it ready for laser cutting. I also changed the position of a few parts of the layout so that they were not too close to the edge and I would secure the cutting.
Rayjet Manager & laser cutting¶
finally I sent the file to print by selecting the colour settings : the blue lines would be cut off while the red ones would be engraved with less intensity.
Assembling and gluing¶
I collected the laser-cut boards and started to separate the different pieces of cardboard; I ended up with a pile to assemble. Little by little the character took shape.
