This week’s selection is the highly detailed “Root Cause” by artist Michael Cardacino.
This incredibly detailed sculpture is a curious mix of ancient and modern elements, created by 21st century technology: 3D printing.
Cardacino explains the inspiration behind the work:
Inspired from a 2500 year old diagram, described by Buddha to a king who wanted to give the most precious gift to another king who had everything.
Volition, Will, Cause and Effect. Appropriated from the ancient diagram of the Wheel of Life, the skin of the animals inside the ring is made of words representing states of mind. The pig: Ignorance, the bird: Desire and Attachment, and the snake: Hatred and Anger. All three animal skins are composed of words: I, Me, Mine. All three, held tightly in the grip of the Lord of Death.
Visually, The Root Cause has a circular theme, with three surrealistic animals chasing each other within a wheel held by a bizarre upside-down human-cat hybrid.
The Root Cause was 3D printed in nylon materials by both ProtoLabs and Midwest Composite Technologies, both well known industrial 3D print service bureaus.
After assembly, the final piece was plated in copper by Repliform. Although this is a relatively lightweight nylon print, it appears to be far heavier due to the metallic appearance.
Cardacino has produce several other interesting works, some of which we’ve recently seen. His pieces tend to include high levels of detail that are apparent only when looking closely.
