Oct 22, 2015 | By Kira
There seem to be two camps in the 3D printing technology world: those on the nano-scale, developing 3D printers and materials capable of handling the tiniest, most detailed objects such as PCBs; and then there are those who go big or go home (or go big to go home?). As part of a project for ICT2015 in Portugal, 3D printer manufacturer BEEVERYCREATIVE placed themselves firmly in the second camp by supporting the construction of a 3D printed 5 meter tall sculpture titled “3D Europa.”
ICT (Innovate, Connect, Transform) is a major Information and Communication Technologies even in Europe, that this year is being co-organized with the Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia), underway in Lisbon from October 20-22. Given all of the technology-oriented, forward thinking minds who will be present, artist Leonel Moura figured it would be the perfect place to bring attention to his signature creativity-meets-technology works of art, which he coins “artificial creativity” (after ‘artificial intelligence’).
Developed over the past six months and 3D printed entirely in PLA with support from BEEVERYCREATIVE and 3D FACTORY, the statue is in the form of a multi-colour woman, standing tall and with arms spread wide open, as though welcoming all of Lisbon to the future of art and technology. The statue was made using 300 parts, included 3D printed parts and fittings, and measures just shy of 5 meters tall. Eight permanent 3D printers were used, with help from the BEEVERYCREATIVE team.
Portugal-based BEEVERYCREATIVE recently launched four brand new 3D printers, proving their commitment to developing cutting-edge 3D printers and contributing to the 3D printing community—which of course includes 3D printed art. Similarly, Leonel Moura’s internationally renowned work has been known to push the limits of combining art with robotics, artificial intelligence and 3D printing. Working together to create 3D Europa, they’re bringing widespread attention to ICT2015 and are helping to put Portugal on the 3D printing map.
Standing at an impressive 5 meters tall, 3D Europa may be one of the tallest 3D printed statues out there today, larger-than-life 3D printing is becoming something of a trend. Recently, the VULCAN architectural pavilion in Beijing won the Guinness World Record for world’s largest 3D printed pavilion, standing at 8.08 meters long by 2.88 meters high. And over in Valencia, Spain, a local company is planning to build the world’s largest 3D printed statue during the Las Fallas Festival, at an incredible 16 meters tall. Of course in day-to-day life, size doesn’t truly matter… but when you want to attract global attention and demonstrate the power of 3D printing technology? Bigger is obviously better.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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