3D Printing Project

Spiny Shell (Courtesy: vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net)

Front View of Spiny Shell (Courtesy: Matthew Chang)

Side Profile of Spiny Shell (Courtesy: Matthew Chang)

Of all the projects assigned throughout the semester, the 3D printing project was the most rewarding. With the guideline specified as a cute weapon, my inspiration came from the spiny shell from the Mario video game series. The spiny shell is represented in the first photo while, the second and third are the 3D printed version. It is not the most detailed replica, but considering it was my first time using a 3D printer, it came out well. I was particularly satisfied with the final project, and surprised at how sharp the spikes turned out to be. The program I used to create the model was Tinkercad. It was very user friendly, with many features, community made objects, as well as detailed tutorials. 

Overall, it took 20 hours to design and finish this project then was sent to the staff at The Hive in downtown Tampa for printing. 3D printing has become much more popular in the last few years as the cost of acquiring a printer has become more affordable. With popularity comes more creative projects like this, new ideas, as well as solutions to specific problems. Having the knowledge to use 3D printing interface and the ability to print items will surely be vital in the near future. If given another opportunity or have free time to create more 3D objects I would gladly take that opportunity.

Walter Benjamin's The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

Walter Benjamin, author, philosopher and cultural critic shown above
(Courtesy: http://image.slidesharecdn.com)

Walter Benjamin's essay, The work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction brings attention to technological innovation and its impact on art. He uses art forms such as photographic negatives, lithography, and copperplate etching to describe how imitation has become more prevalent over the years. Stemming from mass production, curiosity, greed and self-interest, replication have always existed.

Benjamin argues that in principle, all works of art are able to be replicated. With many objects, structures, paintings or drawings, this is perhaps true, however, there are exceptions to this principle. Many pictures are considered works of art, featuring a specific time or event that transpired. In the example of a volcanic eruption, an event that occurs very rarely, it would be difficult for someone to reproduce a picture that someone took on a specific day, time, angle, lighting, etc.  Even if the imitator managed to meet all the same criteria, there is such a minute statistical chance that someone would be able to get an identical picture. In the sense that someone could digitally scan the picture or use a negative and "replicate" it, is a possibility but is still a challenge to physically recreate.

There are many forms of art, some easier to imitate than others and some not. In my opinion, performance art is not replicable. It can be imitated but not 100% replicated. Stage performers can practice and rehearse their routine as frequently as possible yet will not be able to perform the same time with consistency. Each interaction with other performers, the physical condition of the performer at the time, mood, and attention to detail are all contributing factors that make replication almost impossible. Overall, my take on the matter leaves me to believe that Walter Benjamin is wrong in stating all works of are replicable. There are certain forms of art that are unique in that they are not replicable by the nature of their appearance, circumstances, or properties.

Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Modern Art and Modernism. Auckland, N.Z.: PhotoForum, 2007. 218-20. Print.