It's glassblowing applied to plastic, but a lot less hazardous for your health

Jul 24, 2014 13:46 GMT  ·  By

The divide between art and science is always decreasing, and there are points where the two not only come into contact, but outright cross over one into the other. The latest 3D printed art is one such example.

Although calling it 3D printed art is not altogether accurate, since 3D printing is merely part of the equation. The other part is glassblowing.

Glassblowing is a glassforming technique that inflates molten glass into a bubble or parison, by means of a blowpipe. Many objects, glimmering baubles, cups and other such things, can be created in this way.

Artist Roos Meerman wanted to see what would result from applying the principles of glassblowing to 3D printed plastic figurines. So she took a few, superheated them and used the blowpipe on them, finally getting her answer.

You can see that answer, the Aera Fabrica collection, in the image above and the gallery below. Quite a few marvelous decorations, colorful and translucent, have been born from this brainchild of Meerman.

There was one difference between glassblowing and this method though: the way the 3D print was designed is what ultimately determined the final form of the object, as opposed to real glassblowing where the artist has a final say in the outcome.

Roos Meerman's Aera Fabrica (11 Images)

Roos Meerman Aera Fabrica
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