3D Printing a ‘Piece of Ocean’ — Art Demonstrates Strength of Stratasys’ Objet1000 3D Printer

Art featuring the waves and the ocean has been popular since the crafts of drawing and painting came to inception, far before we can even imagine. Our will to conquer the ocean and find sustenance from it, as well as understand it, is a big part of the motivation to make it central to so much art and illustration through the ages. We see a rich pageantry of creativity in subjective works, historical works, and scientific depictions. Becoming one with nature, and the ocean, and using it for our own devices as a tool for creative wonder as well as relaxation and meditation is very popular.

No matter how you decide to depict the wonder of the vast oceans of our world, however, and no matter the medium, it’s a challenge to impact the viewer with the beauty and magnitude of an element that changes so unpredictably and drastically in shape, constantly. Going from stormy to calm in a matter of minutes, the ocean operates as a symbol of our world, our souls, nature, and inspiration for so much. The ocean itself seems to have infinite area not only to explore in reality, but also artistically.

If anyone should deign to attempt to convey the beauty and power of the ocean in 3D printing, it seems Stratasys would be the best choice. And so they did, unveiling their efforts at EuroMold 2014, which was held at the end of November. With a multitude of new 3D printers, scanners, and accessories highlighted — along with artwork and many examples of the incredible processes being created through 3D printing — EuroMold was the perfect venue for showing off the quest to harness the power of the ocean in 3D print, as we wrote about back in November.

The idea was to show off their Connex multi-material 3D printers, which can produce enormous items to be built or assembled, offering 16-micron layer accuracy in a range of 120 materials, with excellent results to be had in showing intricate detail and realistic depiction. For this amazing body of work though, Stratasys chose to highlight what they could do with the Stratasys’ Objet1000 3D printer, simply by using a singular material: Stratasys’ VeroClear resin.

Featuring a rectangular shape with dimensions of 996 x 796 mm, the ocean is 3D printed in all its glory, silver-ish in hue and crowned with turbulent waves, demonstrating what Stratasys — and the Connex equipment — are capable of producing. Titled ‘Piece of Ocean,’ and designed by artist Eyal Gever, Stratasys truly demonstrated how large one can go in 3D printing an object, almost completely using maximum dimensions for the Objet1000. It’s an impressive work in many ways, from the way the material catches the light, to the fluidity captured in the design — not to mention the massive amount of material used, and considerable expense.

Have you seen any 3D items of this size at exhibits, or have you participated in creating anything similar? Did you attend EuroMold 2014 or will you be attending this year? Tell us your thoughts in the ‘Piece of Ocean’ forum over at 3DPB.com.