The sculpture was a gift to the city in celebration of the many immigrants who arrived there after leaving their homelands. More specifically to the Armenian culture, the dodecahedron also serves as a dedication to everyone who died in the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, as well as all other genocides. Armenian Heritage Park also features a labyrinth composed of grass and inlaid stone, which is meant to be a symbol of life’s journey, with a jet of water at the center, as a further symbol of hope and rebirth.
Because of the amazing contributions from benefactors and organizations, Don Tellalian, AIA, the Park’s designer and architect, wanted to think of an equally thoughtful gift to give back to them that would be a daily reminder of thanks from the city.
With the help of digital designer David Munson of Munson3D and Don Fienman of NE3DP, Mcor Technologies Certified Reseller and provider of Mcor 3D printing services, Tellalian began exploring methods for producing handheld replicas of the sculpture that could be updated every year. 3D printing is an obvious choice since designs can be refined so easily.
After experimenting with different materials and sizes of the 3D printed replicas, the team focused in on the technology provided by Mcor, with the Mcor IRIS paper-based 3D printer. This particular choice of printer gave them more bang for their buck as they could produce larger replicas at a lower price due to the printer material (paper), which coincidentally also provided a stronger product, with less chance of breakage. Tellalian envisioned these replicas on desks, accessible, and meant to be handled, so resilience was a priority.
“The Mcor IRIS produces the most cost-effective and best product for us,” said Barbara Tellalian of Tellalian Consultants, spearheading development and fund raising for the project. “Annually the sculpture models, sitting on a benefactor’s desk or coffee table, can be reconfigured, just as the actual sculpture is reconfigured in the Park.”
The dodecahedron is a massive sculpture serving as a reminder of something very serious, but also as a celebration of America and the immigration experience. It is thus also a perfect reminder to all when facing controversies in the news regarding immigration and ethnicities — that nearly all of us are products of the melting pot and from new generations to old, we owe a great deal to the welcoming arms of America — and it owes a great deal to us.
Have you been involved in 3D printing any famous sculptures or American landmarks? Have you visited the Armenian Heritage Park in Boston? Share with us in the Armenian Heritage Park 3D Printed Dodecahedron thread at 3DPB.com.