Yinyun ཇོ་མཇལ་སོགས་སྒྱུ་རྩལ་གྱི་བཟོ་བཀོད་ཅིག

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Yinyun is an art installation composed of 85 unique 3D printed ceramic units. Through generative design algorithm, the electric information was extracted and visualized on every unit, together creating a gradient effect. Ceramic 3D printing, with a mixture of recycled material, was then used to fabricate these units, at the same time, creating detailed surface relief which was indicated by this technique. None of the units is the same as others.

Dimensions & Packaging

Dimension(ceramic parts): L: 910cm, W: 360cm, H: 230cm

Tags

ceramic, 3D printing, generative, parametric design, digital fabrication, sustainable, recycle, coah ash, art installation, craft

Production Technology

The project heavily relied on close cooperation among algorithm development, 3D printing, and material experiments. All designs were completed through several generative algorithms, including data processing, form generation, slicing, and Gcode output. Then our custom 3D printer with remote extrusion system was used to achieve such large sizes. The material was a mixture of white porcelain and coal ash recycled from power plant.

Design Challenge

In order to achieve large-scale and stable printing, we developed our custom extrusion system and slicing program, testing it back and forth between digital and physical space, which took nearly half of the time for this project. The material factors were carefully taken into consideration, including ceramic ratio, viscosity, temperature, humidity, since a 3D printer can't be dynamically adjusted as human hands during production. The shrinkage after firing also increased the difficulty of assembly.

Research

The goal of this project is to examine the relationship between traditional craft and modern techniques. As we developed a new shape language in digital space, it was completely originated from ceramic 3D printed texture. The traditional expertise in ceramics and modern digital fabrication skills were combined in real-world printing, together created pieces with rich craftsmanship, but can only be achieved by modern technique.

Inspiration

The motivation of this project is to create an elegant art installation blending the science education atmosphere in this green energy exhibition hall. Inspired by the natural phenomenon of electromagnetic, which created non-uniformed field tensors in the space. To express this specific effect, an installation consisted of a large number of units were proposed, contrasting in form and pattern. This project also showcases Fabcraft design lab’s long-term interest in generative design and 3D printing technology.

Project Duration

The project began at the end of 2018, and was completed in December 2019. Since then, it has been a permanent public art located in Taipower D/S ONE exhibition hall in Taipei, Taiwan.

Operation Flow

The installation was designed to be viewed from different angles, at the same time, produce positive route guidance in the exhibition hall. A possible interaction can be created while visitors moving upstairs, changing from low angle to eye-level angle, they will observe an optical illusion caused by lights and textures. Moreover, the fluid surfaces are zoomed into a layered ceramic texture with rich 3D printing characteristics.

Image Credits

Image #1: Fabcraft Design Lab
Image #2: Cogitoimage International Co., Ltd.
Image #3: Fabcraft Design Lab
Image #4: Fabcraft Design Lab
Image #5: Fabcraft Design Lab