ctv-Looking Outwards-03

http://www.materialecology.com/projects/details/gemini

Neri Oxman’s work at Mediated Matter lab has fascinated me for years. This piece specifically intrigues me, a product designer. Computational design comes into play with many aspects of this form. One fascinating algorithm used in this project is a pressure-point mapper. The researchers used a computer vision (and other) programs to map the back of the human body. The orange and yellow bulges in this piece are 3d printed from materials of different squishinesses. The algorithm mapped a squishier material to pressure points on the body. I love this piece because an algorithm also determines the amount of each material to print. Her other work also is within the realm of 3d printed. One project is 3d printed bacteria within a 3d printed algorithmically-generated ecosystem.