tactile histories 3d printed ford gran torino by ioan florea

tactile histories 3d printed ford gran torino by ioan florea
all images courtesy of ioan florea

using a unique 3D printed liquid metal transfer technique, artist ioan florea brings objects and artifacts from the past to life – fusing history with the present. the installation ‘tactile histories’ at surplus gallery at the glove factory in downtown carbondale features the organic-shaped structures. completely transforming the ford gran torino, the famous american ‘muscle car’, the undulating 3D printed surface gives it a new fluid shape. also on display is a sculpture based on the 2600 year old cyrus cylinder, considered to be the first bill of human rights. recreated as an over sized 9 feet tall contemporary version, the declaration of universal human rights is embedded into it – the cyrus cylinder symbolizes multiculturalism, tolerance, peace and freedom. another part of the installation consists of several large scale, 3D paintings with text applied to them that is representative of the US citizenship test that ioan flora had to take. the liquid metal transferring process uses ultralight materials that appear to defy gravity. nano-materials and nano-pigments also help to inform the behavior of the paint and polymers – and the resulting technology is able construct three-dimensional structures from memory.

3D printed ford gran torino at the ‘tactile histories’ exhibition

top view of the the famous american ‘muscle car’

the undulating 3D printed surface gives it a new shape

top view

ioan florea in front of the ford gran torino

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.