RESEARCH AND INSPIRATIONS:
this section should include ideas, quotes, snippets of readings, embedded videos, inspirational images, links related to the course or a current assignment/project
Solar power is a wonderful way to harness the nuclear energy of our nearest star, but it’s more than that. It’s a new way of life that promises a brighter future – pun intended – helps eliminate smog, strip mining, and the burning of fossil fuels. Yet, it’s still more. In itself, solar power is a work of art as much as it is a science. It’s a celebration of green energy and human endeavor, melded together and working in harmony with the entire universe.
Seed-Pod, Dee Dee Morrison
Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
Solar Powered – Choreographed LED Light Sculpture – Laser Cut, Powder Coated Aluminum – 12’D x 8’H
The sculpture integrates Xavier University’s the message about opportunities of learning through education Based on the design of a seed pod that can be dormant for generations but given the right conditions can come alive bloom and flourish. The sculpture imitates design principles found in nature to create a sustainable work of art. The solar-powered sculpture resides near the STEM Center in the middle of campus. It is a vibrant symbol that artistically demonstrates how solar power works by illuminating laser-cut sheets of metal designed to replicate a seed pod coming out of a dormant state to form new life.
If you have a minute, also check out “Field of Light” by Bruce Munro. Love it. Think it might be something you’ll like too!!
PROGRESS AND PROCESS:
this section should include in-progress images of projects and assignments, scanned sketches, descriptions of progress
REFLECTION:
this section should include what you accomplished that week
The title of this reflection is: PLAN B. PLAN A didn’t work, so it was time to figure out PLAN B. The end of last week and the beginning of this week was devastating. Last Friday in class, I remodeled the purchased mesh Vintage TV and we started the SunSet to print before leaving class. Luckily, I spent Friday night and Saturday morning recreating the file we sent to the printer on Friday – just in case I got to school and the print had failed. I say luckily because when I arrived Saturday morning at 8 AM to check on the print it was obvious the machine had failed. It appears the Ultimaker 3 stopped extruding the PVA supports which then ultimately caused the print to fail. When attempting to clean the machine in order to print a 2nd brand new ALL ONE MESH re-modeled TV that was finished Saturday morning, the filament broke inside the extruder tube and would not unload. My intention was to unload and reload both spools of the filament in an attempt to hopefully correct whatever was wrong with the machine. This quickly went horribly wrong when after removing the back cover, parts from the extruder 1 panel flew all over the print lab. I was able to re-assemble the machine but not with all parts. This is when I started printing the 2nd brand new re-modeled TV. I let the machine run overnight and stopped by Sunday morning to another failed print. It appears that the PVA support filament is having trouble extruding consistently from the 3D printer, thus causing inconsistencies with printing. Originally, I wanted to use the Ultimaker because I had fine detail on the front of the model and wanted the dissolvable support material.
PLAN B
So I approached Professor Tim Weaver and asked to borrow his pelican solar charging box. This device does not provide enough power to run the SunSet, however, one could charge a battery and have a battery run this device. Meaning, the TV could not be run exclusively off solar power. Solar panels could assist with the power, but ultimately we would need a battery pack to be able to watch the SunSet outside. This mirrors some of the functionality of the original SunSet. The original SONY was run on a rechargeable battery but could also be plugged in for charging/indoor use. I also approached Jayne and asked where she purchased her grass for her upcoming MFA exhibition. Jayne was able to provide a grass source and the second iteration of the SunSet began to take shape. Upon your recommendation, I spent some time curating the video selections for the SunSet. For this iteration, I made a short video of the Photogrammetry model of the SunSet. This 3D model is still in progress with more clean up/recreation needed, but I wanted to at least show the SONY SunSet, mid-remediation.
See, the original intent of the SunSet was to remediate technology that was once thought of as visionary, ground-breaking. I had wanted the viewer to draw a direct connection from the Advertisement to the remediated 21st-century technology. For this iteration, I’m unsure if that was successfully accomplished. However, I don’t want to give up! I want to be able to produce a digitally fabricated TV shell/exterior from which the viewer will be able to draw a direct connection to the original technology.
I know we discussed this project would involve phases. As it turns out, I’ve had to switch some phases around. I spent the remainder of this week working on the curated videos and creation/gathering of the materials needed for the final presentation. I had the original advertisement printed and enlarged, purchased grass, set up of the solar box and then edited and reformated of videos to play on the SunSet. (all had to be flipped, resized, etc.)
In the end, this project still makes me happy. Perhaps that’s all that matters. If we decide this project has legs and should be continued, my next step would be to fabricate the television. Whether that happens by silicone, resin, or porcelain mold, or perhaps 3D printed is still yet unknown.