MIDTERM PROPOSAL: WORKING WITH FRACTALS.

For Midterm,  I was asked to create a proposal on the work that I"d be doing for the rest of the semester, and I chose to work with Fractals to create 3D print shapes.  Fractals are the actual mathematical composition of things in nature.  There are many of other 3d Print artists that are working with fractals and fractal geometry to create interesting designs using this new technology.

Here was my proposal

For the second half of the Spring 2014 semester of 3D printing, I am proposing I will work on creating a series of organic, yet mathematical, forms that emulate nature but are based on fractal geometry.  Examples of this in tangible form could be loosely represented by the fractal.

My personal work is based on investigations into microscopic photography.   I create paintings, sculptures, and video installations that fluctuate between artful and scientific.  The work is exhibitive of science, yet organic and flowing. From equations, fractal geometry will produce an object that is cumulatively comprised of its self over and over again.   The mathematical fractal seems very scientific and is visually awkward (Figure 1-1), however there are many forms in nature that are exhibitive of the fractal, yet do not have the awkwardness of computer-generated fractals—such as the snowflake or Romanesque Broccoli.(figure 1-2, 1-3)  Even though it was only discovered in the late 20^th century,  the fractal has actually been used in art for ages and ages.  The Roman’s used the fractal they called “the golden ratio” to create the Parthenon.  The balance between nature and mathematics is what I will seek in drafting objects that I wish to pursue in the drawing/cad/and sculpting software available to us.  

In addition, I would like to pursue the drafting of housing pieces and manifests, which will be geometrically based to produce these forms with the additions of other materials—including small plastic dowel rods.  Here are a couple of images that I shared on the fractals