algorithmic sculpting


3Algorithms like Cellular automaton (CA) have been explored in depth for artistic purposes over the last decades. This project enables the creation of physical sculptures by means of digital manufacturing processes, using human interaction as a source.

Through the use of depth sensors, the first layer of a 3D multilayer CA is set and the live algorithm propagates the activation of voxels to the subsequent layers, creating a three-dimensional array of zeroes and ones.

The activation matrixes generated are stored at a certain interval and additional code is used to later convert them into 3D printable objects.

This piece was exhibited at Studio Kapitaal (Utrecht) As part of the Ars Electronica Festival in collaboration with CCU

Technical details:

  • RealSense D415

  • Intel NUC Windows PC

  • Processing

  • Max MSP