3DP Applications

ThreeASFOUR Have Nailed the Concept of 3D Printing Fashion & it Comes with a Religious Twist

The three designers behind the threeASFOUR fashion label have put together a fascinating exhibition at the Jewish Museum in New York City. Gabriel Asfour, Adi Gil and Angela Donhauser are the designers behind the MER KA BA exhibit, which explores ‘iconographic shapes and tile patterns found in each of the three major monotheistic religions’ of the world, namely Christianity, Islam and Judaism. When you consider the global troubles that abound when religions clash, this is a simple statement pointing to unity. And, it is on how these religions are united that the designers have focused with this project. They say the three religions “share an undying belief that the universe was built according to a specific mathematical plan. It is impossible to ignore the similarities prevalent in the details adorning every surface” of their religious structures.

So how does this relate to 3D printing? Well, the designers have created stunning 3D-printed textiles, video projections and architectural installations, which, quite beautifully it must be said, put a modern, technological spin on the creation of these ancient geometric patterns, in keeping with the goals of the Jewish Museum, where the exhibit is on display as of yesterday (15th September 2013). According to the museum’s director, Claudia Gould: “We don’t want to give up our past but we want everything to have a contemporary bent to it, and Mer Ka Ba by threeASFOUR is a perfect metaphor for that.”

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Take a look at the gallery of images from the collection, take some time, they are gorgeous. And also, see if you can recognize how the pieces have been ‘inspired by sacred geometry and tile patterns found in synagogues, churches, and mosques around the world.’ The aim of the exhibition, according to the museum, is to bring together ancient motifs and contemporary design aesthetics to reflect the group’s hybrid identity and utopian vision. I’ve been gazing at these pictures for a while now, and I can see it, which is great, actually, as visions go it’s idealistic but desirable. But the other thing, these are probably the first 3D printed dresses that I’ve seen and can see MYSELF wearing, easily and comfortably. I mean, I love some of the high couture stuff that’s gone before, would probably have worn a couple of them as a dare if pushed, but these, I just love them!

The dresses were printed by Materialise (hardly a surprise) but the exhibition was made possible by the Irma L. and Abram S. Croll Charitable Trust with enerous support provided by Yoko Ono, the Leon Levy Foundation, Shelley Fox Aarons and Philip E. Aarons, and Dr. and Mrs. Steven Rothenberg.

Source: The Jewish Museum