Abstract
Artifacts displayed in museums often feel distant and inaccessible; confined behind glass barriers and marked with fragility. While this preservation method ensures the safety of those art objects, it restricts immersive engagement, potentially resulting in diminished public interest.
"Reshaping Relics” is an exhibition that offers an innovative and alternative approach in experiencing traditional sculpture by challenging conventional viewing methods. It aims to provide a more tactile and immersive encounter with historical objects. This endeavor seeks to foster a broader perspective on institutional artifacts and provoke critical discourse on the integration of alternative technologies in art. The outcome is a contemporary Cabinet of Curiosities that blends historical depth with modern innovation.
Representing a fusion of 3D-printed technologies and traditional fine art methods, this proposed exhibition transcends conventional artistic limits. The exhibition reimagines historical artifacts acting as 3D-printed "frames" for custom oil paintings, alongside standalone sculptures crafted from biodegradable plant-based PLA. These diverse themes converge in a harmonious composition, honoring the history and origins of referenced objects while fostering approachability and inclusivity.
Within this body of work, historical references undergo recontextualization, prompting critical research based on their respective provenance and original intent. It reflects how elements of societal histories undergo fragmentation and alteration as time progresses. Once an artifact is digitized into a 3D form, its essence undergoes transformation, emerging with new significance and purpose. This interdisciplinary approach sparks fresh dialogues and viewpoints within disciplines such as art history, archaeology, and digital fabrication. It enriches our comprehension of the past while displaying the potential for innovation in the future.
"Reshaping Relics" broadens artistic expression by merging traditional craftsmanship with digital 3D-printed techniques to construct a reimagined curiosity cabinet. The resulting fusion creates a visual spectacle that transports viewers into a realm where art evolves into a rich multidimensional experience.
3D Printed PLA. Scan of 18th century sculpture. 28 by 12 by 12 inches. 2024.
3D Printed PLA. Scan of multiple antique elements that were reconfigured, collaged and made to fit two panels for future oil paintings. 36 by 28 by 4 inches. 2024.
Miniature 3D PLA printed frame and Oil Painting test piece. Antique scan reconfigured to fit stretched canvas. 6 by 6 by 3 inches. 2024.
3D Printed PLA test piece. 7 by 6 by 1 inch. 2024.
Insulation Foam cut by CNC Router. Test piece. 48 by 40 inches. 2024.
Project Summary
Description of the Proposed Work
This collaboration between a traditional painter and a nontraditional sculptor will merge two distinct artistic mediums, creating a dialogue between classical painting techniques and innovative digital fabrication. The painter will lead the visual conceptualization and traditional execution of the artwork, while the sculptor will contribute expertise in 3D scanning, printing, and design. Together, they will reinterpret historical artifacts into contemporary art through the creation of interactive and visually striking combined paintings and sculptures.
Proposed Outcomes for the Project
The collaboration will result in a series of combined artworks where the sculptor's digitally fabricated frames, inspired by historical artifacts, serve as both structural and conceptual extensions of the painter’s works. This dialogue will culminate in an Indiana-based exhibition to engage the local art community and an additional exhibition outside Indiana to elevate recognition of both collaborators and their academic institution, Indiana University. The project’s outcomes aim to enrich conversations around traditional and innovative artistic practices.
Roles of Each Collaborator
Ana Meza: As an instructional shop manager at the J. Irwin Miller School of Architecture, Meza will utilize 3D printing and digital fabrication tools to scan and reinterpret historical artifacts. She will design and produce new frames and objects inspired by these artifacts, working closely with Sara Yourist for feedback and direction. The frames will evolve into standalone sculptures and installations as the project develops.
Sara Yourist: Serving as the creative director and primary visualizer, Yourist will create paintings responding to the visual qualities and historical context of the 3D-printed frames. Drawing from her background in historical imagery and surrealism, she will incorporate the artifacts’ history and the peculiarities of their digitized transformation into her paintings, ensuring a cohesive interplay between the frames and painted works.