At Aibuild, we’re dedicated to advancing large format additive manufacturing across a diverse range of industries. From mechanical or artistic, we see LFAM as a solution to modern production challenges and are committed to driving its widespread adoption and scalability. This commitment was realised with Crystalline, an illuminated art installation by multidisciplinary artist and architect Sofia Hagen, showcased at the Spotlight event in Feldkirch, Austria, from October 9th to 12th, 2024.
Standing at 2.7 metres, the central piece of Crystalline is an illuminated salt crystal surrounded by smaller crystals. This ephemeral artwork is crafted entirely from recycled medical plastic waste, exemplifying a harmonious fusion of advanced technology, sustainability, and artistic vision.
The installation’s luminous beauty is enhanced by dynamic light and soundscapes, intricately designed to interact with the medieval architecture of Feldkirch. These elements create an immersive experience, captivating visitors and connecting them to the metaphysical essence of crystalline structures.
The creation of Crystalline was made possible through the ingenuity of MDT A/S Flexible Products, based in Denmark, 3D printing capabilities of robot arms powered by Aibuild software. The crystals were produced using recycled rPETG material which had a previous life as medical containers. The manufacturing process took 68 hours for the monolithic central crystal. Every detail in the printing process was carefully orchestrated to reflect the unique translucency and texture of natural crystals.
Crystalline is a dialogue between technology and art. Hagen’s exploration of salt crystals as metaphors for interconnectedness resonates deeply, drawing parallels between the intricate symmetry of natural formations and the precision of advanced 3D printing. Through this project, Aibuild’s software helped empower the realisation of a work that showcases perfectly innovation meeting creativity.
Projects like Crystalline inspire us to continue innovating and collaborating with visionaries. The success of this installation demonstrates the transformative potential of technology in creating art that is not only visually stunning but also environmentally conscious.
As visitors basked in the glow of Crystalline, they experienced the profound message of unity, balance, and sustainability at the heart of this installation. The Aibuild team were proud to have supported a project that encapsulates the intersection of advanced technology with art.
“Crystalline is a beautiful collaborative journey where we were able to explore the frontiers of cutting edge technology, sustainability, and multi sensory light art. The success of this project hinged on the dedicated teamwork involved: from my advanced 3D printing partners and software engineers who pushed their robots to the limit, to the structural, installation, and lighting engineers who transformed our innovative methods into a striking piece of art. And ultimately, turning the light art installation into an immersive experience, the ephemeral, poetic soundscape was composed specifically for Crystalline perfectly complementing its context within Feldkirch’s medieval center.”
Concept, idea, realisation: Sofia Hagen, Austria / UK
Sound Production: Loulou van Ravensteijn, Netherlands / UK
3D print production: MDT, Denmark
Material: Reflow, Netherlands
Structural Engineers: Define Engineers, UK
Light: Zumtobel, Austria
Administration: Lisa Hinderdael, UK
Sofia Hagen leads an award-winning creative practice working at the intersection of art, design and tech to create 3D-printed sculptural products and installations. The practice has built a reputation for blending high-end design with cutting-edge technology and advanced biomaterial research. Prior to launching her own studio, Sofia Hagen was co-founder of HagenHinderdael, a practice that received critical attention for its use of cutting-edge technology and advanced material research to create high-end design products. She led the creative conception and design development of the practice’s 3D-printed products and installations, working closely with digital fabrication specialists and material scientists globally.
A highly versatile practitioner with keen business acumen, she worked from product design to interior and large-scale architectural developments at some of the leading names in the industry, including Zaha Hadid Architects, Heatherwick Studios, Design Haus Liberty, Acme Space, David Collins Studio, Bompas and Parr, and Make.
Austrian-Polish, Sofia trained in architectural design under the aegis of Zaha Hadid at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, where she graduated with a Masters in Architecture in 2008, followed by a traineeship as interior designer at Odile Decq Architects, Paris.
MDT manufacture unique products for multiple tasks. Raw materials i.e. BeamLine™ / PreBeam® are available to make your own constructions. Alternatively MDT will manufacture constructions on request. MDT work with their customers to provide the perfect solutions, not necessarily just the obvious ones. We believe in mutual development.
Having extensively tested the unique ‘in-house’ raw materials, MDT have developed products where these materials are used to their optimum, ensuring that their customers are given inspiration and the most qualified advice available for the best application of the materials.
At MDT we attempt to place ourselves in the cross-section between creativity and science. Founded on quality and workmanship, tasks are sometimes solved in unconventional ways …. The physical laws normally can’t be changed, but that’s no reason for not playing with them!
