3/D Handprinted Lampshades V1.0 (2014)

Hot-melt Adhesive (HMA)
150mm x 120mm,
220mm x 200mm

Rethinking 3/D printing, this set of lampshades was handprinted – where I was the printer, and a glue-gun and glue stick served as the mechanism and forming material. I wanted to discuss how objects were being churned out as exact copies to the next and how we could possibly bring back uniqueness of an object and craft.

Keeping variables as consistent as possible – each lampshade began with a base of 15cm in diameter, they were formed slowly layer by layer, just like a 3/D printer, and as precisely as my human arm could. Each of them were also tapered and finished at the approximately same heights.

The end products were objects that were similar to one another but, due to the human element in this technique, each lampshade varied from the previous one.

Using a glue-gun and glue stick ensured the affordability of this 3/D printing method. In addition, the forming material contributed to the aesthetics of the finished lampshades. The hot melt adhesive dries translucent, allowing light to diffuse through the lampshade, visually capturing the many layers that form it.