Sculpture Proposal

Area 15

History

About 14 years ago, while creating a piece for a neuroscience based art exhibit, I began
developing this design technique. I created a 3d form (in that case it was from an MRI scan
of my brain) and cut slices of the inverse of the model using clear acrylic. This made an
eerie version of my brain that seemed to be floating within the outer form.

Then something completely unexpected happened when I added color to the inner form.
The brain was clearly visible while looking at it perpendicularly, but when looking from
above or below, the form disappeared. I was amazed.

New Forms

In the years following, I created a handful of figurative pieces and added spaces between the layers.
These spaces worked to decrease density, while allowing for the illusion to be visible from many
more angles, not just the top and bottom.

I knew the next step for me would be to create a larger scale sculpture using this technique.
I’ve spent the last few years working to come up with a form that felt right. In 2021 I created
an 18” version of the form that feels right to me. Below are photos of that piece.

Large Sculpture

It’s time to create a human sized version of the piece.

This process will involve 3D scanning a model to have the most accurate and realistic form.
I sculpt the outer structure in 3D software and slice it in regular intervals.
From there I cut and paint each individual slice before assembling the whole piece.
Below are some 3D renderings of how I picture the sculpture. (Max for scale).

Additions

An additional feature of the 18” version was its ability to be twisted, adding a sense
of movement to the overall piece.
This may not be the right addition to the large scale sculpture, as it would involve
physically handling the piece to twist it, but it’s an idea that’s still on the table.