Hand Of The Machine
exhibition, Emerson Contemporary, 2020
This project investigates digital manufacturing through its imperfections. What we commonly understand as a uniform and infinitely repeatable dialog between user, computer, and 3D printer belies a much more nuanced and imperfect system. Communication breakdowns, bugs, and evidence of the unpredictable nature of hot plastic become apparent as we zoom in. Anomalies within the programmed structure become gestures within ordered fields of plastic lines.
The work shown in this exhibition halts the fabrication process to focus on these aberrant details. Impressions, abstractions, and mutations are interpreted through lenses, light, and ink. These forms are ultimately reflected back into the 3D printer. Anomalies build up, forms break down, and are reconstituted into new structures ripe for exploration.
This project was included in the group exhibition Spacetime (x, y, z + t) at Emerson Media Arts Gallery in Boston, MA. The exhibition was curated by Dr. Leonie Bradbury and featured work by Katherine Mitchell DiRico (US), Zsuzsanna Segedi (HUN), Nicole L’Huillier (CL), Monika Grzymala (GER) as well as myself. All images credit George Bouret Photography unless otherwise noted.
+ Curator Statement
+ Boston Globe Review
+ Boston Art Review Interview
The work shown in this exhibition halts the fabrication process to focus on these aberrant details. Impressions, abstractions, and mutations are interpreted through lenses, light, and ink. These forms are ultimately reflected back into the 3D printer. Anomalies build up, forms break down, and are reconstituted into new structures ripe for exploration.
This project was included in the group exhibition Spacetime (x, y, z + t) at Emerson Media Arts Gallery in Boston, MA. The exhibition was curated by Dr. Leonie Bradbury and featured work by Katherine Mitchell DiRico (US), Zsuzsanna Segedi (HUN), Nicole L’Huillier (CL), Monika Grzymala (GER) as well as myself. All images credit George Bouret Photography unless otherwise noted.
+ Curator Statement
+ Boston Globe Review
+ Boston Art Review Interview
Exhibition view. 3D Printer, photographs, video projections.
Exhibition view.
Looping video projection, made using relief prints of 3D printed waste materials. Image credit, Sarah Trahan.
Exhibition view. Looping video on ipads, photograph.
Looping video on ipad.
Looping video on ipad.
Image credit, Sarah Trahan.
Photograph on paper, 24 x 36”.
Image credit, Sarah Trahan.
Photograph detail.
Image credit, Sarah Trahan.
Photograph on paper, 24 x 36”.
Image credit, Sarah Trahan.
Photograph detail.
Image credit, Sarah Trahan.
Photograph on paper, 24 x 36”.
Image credit, Sarah Trahan.
Looping video, made using relief prints of 3D printed waste materials.Image credit, Sarah Trahan.
Exhibition view. 3D Printer in action.
Example of a 3D printed sculpture, crafted to showcase the inner structure of a 3D print. These were free to take home for visitors to the exhibition.
Image credit, Sarah Trahan.