It would seem that i am in a similar state of indecision to a few others in class. I have explored a few inspirations but have yet to come close to settling into a final design decision. Any feedback is appreciated!
- Sheet Metal Art
My mom recently remodeled her kitchen and in the process she removed a big, beautiful sheet metal was attached to a counter top and served as the a raised bar area. It is about 10 feet long and 3 feet wide with a a really interesting brushed finish on all sides. Now it is sitting in the backyard, waiting to be recycled. Continuing the theme of upcycling, I was speculating how I could use this to make some kind of artwork by waterjet cutting out an image (or something else) from the flat profile. A couple examples are shown below. The challenge here is that I have yet to determine how I could make the design dynamic and promote the same aesthetic. Any suggestions are welcome!
Source: Google Image search: https://www.google.com/search?q=sheet+metal+artwork&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiV5dyImLfSAhUH1WMKHahwAQ4Q_AUICCgB&biw=1440&bih=694#imgrc=Arhhx1BqytP4xM:
Another concept was creating a wind sculpture, perhaps out of the same metal. Perhaps some combination of both ideas? See some examples below.
Source: Google Image search: https://www.google.com/search?q=kinetic+art&biw=1440&bih=694&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwji4pXtl7fSAhVJyGMKHRhpBkkQ_AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=wind+sculpture&*&imgrc=t9HmPydE8SmGgM:
2) 3D Printer
The second concept I have explored was making a 3D printer from a kit and then building the housing for it. Since most of the 3D printer kits are pretty bare bones, this would be a great opportunity to build one, something I have been wanting to do anyway, and then create an aesthetic to wrap the functional elements in.
The Prusa i3 is a common example of a reliable 3D printer that can be built from a kit and would offer the exoskeleton for the aesthetic to envelop the device itself.
3) Bamboo Fly Fishing Rod
Another concept I have kept on the shelf for a few months is fabricating a bamboo fly rod. I have also wanted to do this for a while now and the well fabricated examples are not only beautiful but functional as well!
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I like the idea of the sheet metal art because you can really create something to your personal liking. Although if the 3D printer kits aren’t too expensive that could be a better project because that will allow you to keep on creating fun things.
All of your ideas are great! Have you thought about possibly making a Mother’s Day gift from the sheet metal? I really like the fly rod idea too. Of course, 3D printers are totally fascinating and building one would be soooo amazing. Would you print something too? The last few seminars I went to focusing on advances in printing technology were fascinating-I think printing something would make the project even cooler. Good luck!!
I’ve always liked to fish so I like the idea of creating a bamboo fishing rod. I feel like you would get the most use out of that project after the semester is over. In my opinion if it is always the best use of time if you can make something for class that you can use outside of class as well.
The wind sculpture idea seems like a great one to me. Being in Colorado, the wind does get pretty intense sometimes and being able to turn it into something artistic might be a great way to utilize wind and do something really cool with it.