Art has always been about pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities. With 3D printing, artists can choose to take the safe route—designing something easy to print and producing many copies—or they can be more adventurous, pushing the printer towards heavy misprints and failures, and embracing unexpected results.
Sometimes, I increase the printing speed beyond rational limits to get broken textures out of flat surfaces. Or I might do most of the print mid-air, with no supports, forcing the filament to collapse randomly.
A good example of the later can be experienced with Specimen 002, a tree with a complex network of “branches,” that is mostly printed mid-air. By adjusting the nozzle temperature and / or the printer's speed, the filament’s flow is impacted and the branches collapse in an unpredictable way. This can give the tree different aesthetics—from a structured form to a more willow-like, delicate appearance.
This print exemplifies the beauty found in unexpected outcomes. Despite being a plastic representation of a dead tree, the random collapse of the branches adds an organic, almost ethereal quality that captivates me.
Art shouldn’t use technology the way it’s intended. It should push the limits, exploit its flaws, and go beyond its intended purpose to create something truly unique. This approach aligns closely with the concept of Shu-Ha-Ri in Japanese traditional crafts and art—the three stages of artistic mastery.
• Shu (Protect): At first, the artist follows the rules, mastering the teachings of their craft.
• Ha (Break): Then comes the breaking phase, where they add their own personality, breaking away from established conventions.
• Ri (Transcend): Finally, the artist transcends the tool or medium entirely, creating something entirely original and groundbreaking.
In Kura Curiosa, I find myself moving between these phases. Some elements are designed with precision and intention (Shu). Others embrace unpredictability, breaking the mold to create forms that defy the constraints of technology (Ha). Over time, as the project evolves, I hope to push into the Ri phase—creating a collection that feels alive, unpredictable, and untethered from traditional notions of 3D-printed art.
Art doesn’t need to follow the rules—neither the rules of technology nor the rules of tradition. It’s about exploring, breaking, and transcending to find something truly new.
