A GLORIOUS ACCIDENT
EUGENIO AMPUDIA
02/2020
MODULAR KINETIC SCULPTURE
SET OF 5 INTERCONNECTED MECHANICAL WORKS, SAND CAST ALUMINIUM SHELLS, ACTUATED BY ARDUINO CONTROLLED STEPPER MOTORS AND MAGNETS.
DIMENSIONS: 60 X 20 X 13CM, 8KG
EDITION OF 5
02/2020
MODULAR KINETIC SCULPTURE
SET OF 5 INTERCONNECTED MECHANICAL WORKS, SAND CAST ALUMINIUM SHELLS, ACTUATED BY ARDUINO CONTROLLED STEPPER MOTORS AND MAGNETS.
DIMENSIONS: 60 X 20 X 13CM, 8KG
EDITION OF 5
Spanish artist Eugenio Ampudia commissioned CALIPER for the production of this work for Galeria Max Estrella booth, ARCO 2020. After producing a prototype of the piece in 3D printed PLA, proving both the electro-mechanical system and form would produce the correct effect, work began on the production of 5 pieces, with sand cast aluminium shells and reinforced internals. The form was modelled in 3D based on artist renderings and 3D printed in sections before being smoothed and filled with polyurethane resin for durability during the casting process. This form was then passed to a local foundry to begin casting the 10 shells required for the 5 pieces that made up the work.
Internally the pieces consist of a geared stepper motor, driving an internal spur gear controlled by an arduino, powered by a lithium battery. Each piece has three externally accessible holes; on/off switch, surface mounted DC jack for charging and a hole to block the axis of rotation for disassembly. Finally, there are 4 large neodymium magnets positioned internally around the bulge on each end of the shell which attract the pieces together as they move, creating the effect of a swarm of living, writhing organisms on the floor of the space. Laser cut aluminium plates were welded to the inner surface of the shells, with threaded holes providing a secure mechanism for securing the internal housings to each corresponding side of the piece. These internal housings were again modelled in 3D before being 3D printed, moulded in silicon and cast in a high performance polyurethane resin, with heat set threaded inserts providing a durable solution for attaching the arduino, battery and motor. The pieces were first shown in February of 2020 at ARCO Madrid with Eugenio's gallery Max Estrella, running for approximately 8 hours per day over the 5 days of the fair
Internally the pieces consist of a geared stepper motor, driving an internal spur gear controlled by an arduino, powered by a lithium battery. Each piece has three externally accessible holes; on/off switch, surface mounted DC jack for charging and a hole to block the axis of rotation for disassembly. Finally, there are 4 large neodymium magnets positioned internally around the bulge on each end of the shell which attract the pieces together as they move, creating the effect of a swarm of living, writhing organisms on the floor of the space. Laser cut aluminium plates were welded to the inner surface of the shells, with threaded holes providing a secure mechanism for securing the internal housings to each corresponding side of the piece. These internal housings were again modelled in 3D before being 3D printed, moulded in silicon and cast in a high performance polyurethane resin, with heat set threaded inserts providing a durable solution for attaching the arduino, battery and motor. The pieces were first shown in February of 2020 at ARCO Madrid with Eugenio's gallery Max Estrella, running for approximately 8 hours per day over the 5 days of the fair
