Where do Science and Art meet?
1. Warsan Building in Dubai
The Warsan Building that is known
as the world’s largest 3D printed structure in
the world, with an area of 640 sq. meters
standing 9.5 meters, has been completed last
October 2019 by Dubai Municipality in
collaboration with 3D printing company Apis
Cor. A deep understanding of science makes
courtesy of Apis Cor, n.d.
3D printing techniques possible that
https://www.apis-cor.com/
transform traditional construction into a costefficient and more accurate construction in a shorter period. According to the Dubai
Municipality, the city aims to become the center of 3D printing with their Dubai 3D Printing
Strategy, where the construction of the Warsan 3D-printed Building is inlined, and reduce
labor by 70% while minimizing the cost and the time of production by 90% and 80%,
respectively (Saleem, 2020). Science and technology were utilized in this work by using
the 3D printer designed by Apis Cor to build the entire walls of the building wherein a
gypsum-based mixture is deposited one layer at a time until the desired height is reached.
From designing the building to the on-site construction using 3D technology, it can be
seen that science and technology have integral roles in this work.
2. AstroTube Boom
In 2016, Oxford Space Systems (OSS)
launched its first product known as the
AstroTube Boom, a cost-efficient compact boom
found on satellites that is used to carry scientific
instruments. The AstroTube Boom is made of
“flexible carbon fiber composite and deployable
panel systems” (2018 finalist: Oxford Space
Systems, n.d). In this artwork, the cross-relation
between science and technology, as well as their essential roles in the said space
structure, is evident whereby concepts of space science and art were used to develop
this kind of technology that aids scientists to deploy instruments in space that would help
them discover new knowledge about different branches of science. According to Mike
Lawton, the founder of OSS, the AstroTube Boom was inspired by the ancient art of
origami; “We start folding on cardboard or paper, and we go from there,” Lawton said
(Kennedy, 2018).
courtesy of UKspace, 2017
https://www.ukspace.org/oss-claims-two-space-industry-records/
3. Pia Wurtzbach’s Madame Tussauds wax figure
The Pia Wurtzbach’ wax figure is the
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong’s first-ever
Filipino wax figure that was created last March
2019. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong General
Manager Jenny You said that their Filipino
guests have inspired them to have a Filipino wax
figure, thus they have chosen someone from the
Philippines who is truly iconic such as Pia
courtesy of Preview, 2019
Wurtzbach (“Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
https://www.preview.ph/culture/pia-wurtzbach-wax-figure-madame-tussaudsa00268-20190328
Unveils Pia Wurtzbach…”, 2019). In this artwork,
knowledge about wax figure making and the
science behind it serve as sources of different techniques and paraphernalia essential in
making the figure for more accurate results. The nature of the wax used in the figure
serves as a basis of the wax making process and also, different technologies such as
measuring tools and camera to take videos and pictures of the model of the figure are
utilized to achieve the desired wax figure. With these, it can be inferred that science and
technology have integral roles in making the life-size wax figure as precise as possible.
4. 3D-Printed Statue of Zeus
The 3D-Printed Statue of Zeus, the replica of the
legendary Statue of Zeus, was made by 3D printing
companies Stratasys and 3DPTree in collaboration with
The Millennium Gate Museum for the opening of the
Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The concepts
of materials science, robotics, and architecture have
become the basis of the 3D printing technique that was
used in this artwork. Extensive research was also
conducted since the original statue is gone and they only
based the appearance of the statue in books written by
ancient historians and in coins. According to Jeremy
Kobus, director of The Millennium Gate Museum, they
have used 3D printing over traditional sculpting techniques
in creating the replica because, through 3D printing, pieces can be easily maintained and
reconstructed (Goehrke, 2016). The fundamental role of science and technology is
evident in this work; they have used fused deposition modeling (FDM), an application of
both science and technology, wherein thermoplastics were deposited layer by layer and
cooled down at a specific temperature until the product is finished.
courtesy of Stratasys, 2020
https://www.stratasys.com/explore/blog/2016/zeus3d-printing
5. Nesurak
The Nesurak is a 3D printed sculpture that was made by
Belgian artist Nick Ervinck teaming up with the 3D printing service
provider Materialise in 2016. Robots, aliens, monsters, and
mysterious creatures created by artists like H. R. Giger were the
inspiration of Ervinich in creating Nesurak (Saunders, 2017). Similar
to other 3D printed sculptures, robotics, material science, and
architecture have become the basis of the 3D printing technique that
was utilized to create this artwork. Science and technology were
used throughout the construction of the sculpture; from designing
the Nesurak, wherein Ervinck used 3D CAD programs, to the actual
3D printing of the figure that was made by Materialise with their
innovative 3D printing technology. Thus, it can be deduced that science and technology
have played an important role in this artwork.
courtesy of Studio Nick Ervinck,
2016
References:
2018 finalist: Oxford Space Systems. (n.d.). In Royal Academy of Engineering. Retrieved
from
https://www.raeng.org.uk/grants-prizes/prizes/prizes-and-medals/awards/themacrobert-award-engineering-innovation/previous-winners-and-finalists/2018-winnerand-finalists/2018-finalist-oxford-space-sy
Goehrke, S. (2016, August 5). Statue of Zeus: Stratasys 3D Prints an Ancient Wonder of
the World to Mark Olympic Opening. In 3DPrint.com. Retrieved from
https://3dprint.com/144932/stratasys-3d-printed-zeus/
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Unveils Pia Wurtzbach As The First-Ever Filipino Wax
Figure. (2019, March 25). In Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Retrieved from
https://www.madametussauds.com/hong-kong/en/latest-news/whats-new/madametussauds-hong-kong-unveils-pia-wurtzbach-as-the-first-ever-filipino-wax-figure/
Kennedy, E. (2018, March 9). Folding satellites: How origami inspired a 'space geek'.
In CNN
Business.
Retrieved
from
https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/09/technology/origami-folding-satellite-antennaoss/index.html
Saleem, F. (2020, January 29). World’s Largest 3D-Printed Building in Dubai.
In engineering.com.
Retrieved
from
https://www.engineering.com/BIM/ArticleID/19863/Worlds-Largest-3D-PrintedBuilding-inDubai.aspx#:~:text=The%20world's%20largest%203D%2Dprinted,was%20just%20c
ompleted%20in%20Dubai.&text=The%20building
Saunders, S. (2017, December 8). Belgian Artist Nick Ervinck Teams Up with Materialise
Again to Bring 3D Printed Sculpture Life. In 3DPrint.com. Retrieved from
https://3dprint.com/196713/nick-ervinck-materialise-sculpture