Now that I’ve decide to go ahead with taking on the challenge of building something beautiful I have to consider the material and aesthetic choice of the material itself. I know from the inspirations I drew from, that LED lighting and mirror foil is a must have. As I watch others build these projects, it seems that this is the best/affordable option for creating these objects. So with that noted, I want to give a unique aesthetic finish that distinguishes my object from others. All dodecahedron builds follow a precise outside structure. This is the place I know I can explore aesthetic decision.

DIY Dodecahedron by Quad Squad (3D Printed)

When trying to figure out how to construct these objects I was lucky to find someone who walks through the process of building. This is very helpful in understand which steps I need to talk and which places along the project I heed with caution. In his build he finished his object with black 3D printed edge pieces. I think this would be a good base aesthetic to follow because these pieces offer support. However, to me 3D printed material is fairly textured and can look cheap, an aesthetic I do not want. I used his base model to help me push my project past his, and find something I find more aesthetically beautiful.

Portal Icosahedron by Anthony James (Steel Framing)

When continuing my search, I stumbled upon an Artist named Anthony James, who constructs similar objects but with a triangle variant oppose to a pentagon variant. His objects also stand out because the LED lighting inside is fixed into bars oppose to strip lights. Despite the interior element not having a dynamic part, I still found the rigid structure to be equally beautiful to colored strobes. Oppose to the first variant, which is full of life and color, these are the opposite, solid and rigid pieces with a calming presence. The artist also used steel for the exterior shell opposed to 3D printed, I find this aesthetic choice to be more modern and much cleaner looking. However, I find metal to have a similar visual aesthetic as mirror or reflective material, offering no contrast or differentiation. So my search continued.

Wooden Dodecahedron by Steve Garrison (Wood Framing)

I decided to go back to the basics and look at other forms of the object just as an object. Quickly I stumbled upon wooden variants, and then I realized this has great potential. Wood is an aesthetic choice that can contrast the interior object well. Having a natural element surround the nonnatural inside would create a unique harmony that I think would work well together. Wood has always been a staple in my aesthetic taste, wood yields a earth quality and is genuinely beautiful. The other beauty is that these objects are easy to make if cut the correct way. This in turn would cut my assembly time down over any of the above options. I plan on scavenger for a nice piece of wood that I can cut, sand, and possibly even stain. I can also pair this with a functions box if I decide to have the object be stationary. In sum, I find wood to be a practical and beautiful material, and in the case of this project would be a perfect pairing material.

Dodecahedron Lamp by Olafur Eliasson

Finally, just to explore any other options I returned to my original up cycle project inspiration, artist Olafur Eliasson. He has made numerous lighting pieces, many following similar patterns pertaining to light casting and illusion. I find his object to be simple but also deeply fascinating. I appreciate the element of room depth that his lighting pieces create, this leads to wonder if I can create a way to bring the room in through lighting. His examples use stained or color glass, casting different lights across the room, sometimes in particular patterns. I am not sure how my project can work on both an interior level and exterior level, but I wonder where the middle ground lies. Overall though, it was Eliasson’s lighting creations that inspired me to create something beautiful for myself.

Sketching Phase

Based on all the resources above I have been able to easily draw out a plan for construction, and understand which materials are needed to create the object. The next part is going to be either starting the process immediately or create a brief cheap material prototype. We shall see how these sketches get translated over time, but I hope they translate well and become reality.

References:

Wooden Dodecahedron

Steve Garrison Assembling Dodecahedron

Eliasson, O. (2020). Your constants are ch… • Exhibition • Studio Olafur Eliasson. [online] Olafureliasson.net. Available at: https://olafureliasson.net/archive/exhibition/EXH101053/your-constants-are-changing#slideshow [Accessed 25 Feb. 2020].

Anthony James Portal Icosahedron 

 Eliasson, O. (2020). Your constants are ch… • Exhibition • Studio Olafur Eliasson. [online] Olafureliasson.net. Available at: https://olafureliasson.net/archive/exhibition/EXH101053/your-constants-are-changing#slideshow [Accessed 25 Feb. 2020].

DIY Dodecahedron

Quad Squad

Squad, Q. (2020). Infinity Dodecahedron. [online] Youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j3d-ogdpJ4&t=20s [Accessed 25 Feb. 2020].

Olafur Eliasson Dodecahedron Lamp, 2005

Koyanagi Gallery, Gallery

Eliasson, O. (2020). Your constants are ch… • Exhibition • Studio Olafur Eliasson. [online] Olafureliasson.net. Available at: https://olafureliasson.net/archive/exhibition/EXH101053/your-constants-are-changing#slideshow [Accessed 25 Feb. 2020].