The concept for the piece looks at combining natural and synthetic materials in an interesting way. The primary material is one we are familiar with, white HIPS. Our idea was to develop a contoured wall surface that wasn’t constrained by the typical techniques of contouring (create a surface, chop it into 2d strips, and reassemble). By using a flexible material we were able to cut out each custom profile while also letting each strip uniquely bend in elevation. This creates a much more dynamic result and really plays with perception. Form was driven by a series of weighted attractor points that manipulate curves rather than an input surface. The structural backer is a walnut stained plywood with grooves cut to prescribe each strip’s shape. The color and natural wood grain contrasts, but also works very well with the organic forms of the white plastic.
Look for a full scale project to come in the near future!
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September 13th, 2011
Groovy!