Although we mentioned it in our coverage of Materialise’s MWC 2015 Convention in Brussels, we probably did not yet give the Making a Difference – A difference in Making exhibit the attention it deserves. So, here is a deeper look at what you will find if you have a chance to visit what is probably the most significant exhibit on 3D printing achievements to date.
The exhibition, curated by Marta Malé-Alemany and hosted at the Bozar Center in Brussels until the 7th of June, 2015, was organized to celebrate Materialise’s 25th anniversary and features 3D printed works of art, design, engineering, and scientific fields by renowned artists, designers, public initiatives, and prestigious research institutions, as well as by unknown, innovative makers.
In a way that only additive manufacturing can do, the exhibit brings together some of the most fascinating and advanced fields of manufacturing. I had a chance to tour the show, guided by Materialise CEO Mr. Wilfried Vancraen, who officially opened the exhibit last April 24 on the first day of the MWC2015. He took real pride in showing off many of the amazing products on display – and understandably so – since he has dedicated his entire life to opening up the possibilities of additive manufacturing to all production sectors.
For me, it was also a great opportunity to see, first hand, some of the most amazing 3D printed objects and projects I have written about during the past couple of years. For example, I got to see the Helix Tripod by Factum Arte, a 1769 design by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, that was never actually produced because too complex, that was brought to life through digital software, laser sintering, and careful finishing.
The exhibit mixes new artistic sculptures, such as those by famous Belgian artists Nick Ervinck, with modern designs for full-sized objects, such as the Fractal.MGX table and One_Shot.MGX stool, both printed in one piece and based on complex, geometric lines that can be produced with no method other than 3D printing. Modern “impossible” objects seen at the exhibit also included FIX3D, a generative, geometrically complex, ultra-light bike frame laser-sintered in white nylon.
But this is not just an exhibit on art and design, but a combination of all of 3D printing’s most fascinating applications. This means that one could also come across original Maker projects, such as the PrintedNest. Last year, I had the honor of breaking the news about this open source project, now popping up all over the world, which works to create beautiful and colorful bird feeders to bring birds back to the cities.
Another very curious “product” that I was glad to see first hand was the Edible Growth project by Chloé Rutzerveld and TNO. The project offers probably the most original approach to food 3D printing ever conceived (although probably a bit on the unpractical side): a snack that grows itself within a 3D printed cracker, embedded with yeast, mushrooms, edible soil, and sprouts.
Arguably, though, the most important applications for 3D printing are in the medical field, as was clearly demonstrated during the MWC2015 itself. In the exhibit, however, it is possible to see how certain medical implants are also characterized by beauty – along with usefulness – in their designs. This was as true of a generative breast implant application as much as custom body augmentations that allow people with serious motion disabilities to stand up and walk.
This upcoming weekend, on the 9th and 10th of May, there will also be a workshop organized in collaboration by Materialise, i.materialise and LeFabShop on “Repurposing Everyday Objects with 3D Printing”. It is yet another interesting aspect that 3D printing offers for a more functional world and, possibly, a good enough reason to plan a trip to Brussels.
What a wonderful event to highlight the good work that Wilfried Vancraen and @MaterialiseNV have made possible over the years.