Design of the Week: Light, Darkness and Tree

By on November 14th, 2016 in Design

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 The 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park
The 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park

This week’s selection is the breathtaking Light, Darkness and Tree prints by Korean artist Se Yoon Park.

In a detailed post on i.Materialise, Park’s work is described and his development process is explained. 

 The 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park
The 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park

The work fashioned from numerous 3D printed parts, carefully assembled into tree form. Precisely placed LEDs illuminate the structure in interesting ways. 

 The 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park
The 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park

The artist used Rhino3D to design the multiple pieces that comprise each tree. They’re designed to fit together, but there are several different forms.

Apparently Park spent three years developing the tree structure, from design to 3D printing to assembly and only recently placed some of the work on public display in New York City. 

 Designing the 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park
Designing the 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park

Park chose to make the parts using i.Materialise’s 3D print service in nylon / polyamide, as the parts required some strength to fit together and support the rather large tree structure. 

 The 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park
The 3D printed Light, Darkness and Tree sculpture by Korean artist Se Yoon Park

The nylon parts are printed in white, but can also be easily dyed to take on several natural colors, as Park has done for some pieces. 

Park explains the work: 

I couldn’t find my own voice as an individual and I wanted to give meaning to my work. I had trouble identifying with the projects I worked on before and I wanted to create meaningful works everyone can understand. I found my roots exploring light and darkness through my sculptures.

Life is defined by the passage of time, and the passage of time is the flow of light and darkness. Similar to the passing of night and day. I feel as if my work is somewhere in between living and non-living. Though the sculptures are inanimate, they feel alive.

Thanks to my exploration through these sculptures, I’ve grown to value the light and darkness in my life. . I’ve grown a deep appreciation for my sculptures because they taught me the nature of light and darkness. When lost in darkness, I’m confident light will come. I can always overcome my darkness since light will shine through. I’ve grown to treasure the light knowing that darkness will come as well.

Via i.Materialise and Se Yoon Park

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!