Send in Your 3D Printed Medallion to be Part of Massive Community Sculpture, ‘Linked’

It’s a sculpture for the people, by the people — all in a mass celebration that weaves together the progress of amazing 3D printing technology, community, and enormous creative spirit. Coming together in a piece of 3D printed, interlocked art and sculpture, ‘Linked’ will be happening for a second year in a row with a mission to crowdsource the world’s largest 3D printed sculpture.

Created by Canadian multimedia artist Jeff de Boer, the idea behind the project is to make an even bigger ‘living sculpture’ this year, with a December 16^th deadline for mailing your piece. Last year, they received 1,600 medallions, and are hoping to far exceed that number this year. With the sculpture being made up of linked, moveable pieces, it becomes ‘living’ through its artistic fluidity, as artists can move the colorful pieces and re-link them, forming a different image over and over.

As a collaboration between PrintToPeer, 3D Hubs and RepRap Warehouse, the work of art will be composed of hundreds of medallions mailed in from all around the world, which will be linked together by a crowd of volunteers at the RepRap Warehouse in Edmonton, Canada on December 17^th. RepRap Warehouse will be hosting a 3D printing and assembly party at the Stanley A. Milner Library, where they also encourage those individuals without 3D printers to come and have their links printed out for them. Inviting volunteers, the links will be put together from 5:00 – 9:00 that night, and the sculpture is due to be ready for display at the Library the next day.

How can I be part of this? It’s easy and fun. Keep in mind that these links can also function as a great way to advertise your business — especially for new 3D printing startups. To get started on your link:

1. Register on https://www.printtopeer.com/sculpture
2. Download the STL file for the link.
3. Keep in mind you can create and mail in as many links as you want, using your choice of colors and materials.
4. Customize your link and then 3D print it. For students in Edmonton, 3D Hubs user Colin Pischke will 3D print your link for you for free.
5. Mail your 3D printed piece to RepRap Warehouse, 11617 147 Street NW; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1W3.

More about Jeff de Boer: Jeff is from Calgary and is an artist known for his talent and originality. His passion is working with metal, and he is known for his inimitable metal works including suits of armour for cats and mice, armour ties and sword-handled briefcases, rocket lamps and pop culture ray guns, and exquisite high art, abstract works called exoforms.

Are you going to send in a 3D printed medallion, or were you able to see the ‘Linked’ sculpture last year? Tell us about it in the Linked forum at 3DPB.com.