Harvard scientists combine art and technologies with the 3D printing method inspired by Jackson Pollock.
Harvard scientists have embarked on a creative journey that combines art and technology to develop a unique 3D-printing method, inspired by the legendary artist Jackson Pollock. This groundbreaking technique not only replicates Pollock’s iconic paint-flinging approach but also leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and physics to create complex shapes quickly. The method, which the researchers describe in the latest issue of Soft Matter, essentially pays homage to Pollock’s artistry by embracing the same rules of fluid dynamics that the artist relied on during his career-defining works. Just as Pollock would famously place canvases on the floor and let paint drip, drizzle, and pour from above, the Harvard team seeks to harness the power of fluid dynamics to revolutionize 3D printing.
Jackson Pollock, an American abstract-expressionist artist, was known for his innovative technique of painting. He played with the instability of paint, allowing it to buckle, fold, and coil as gravity pulled it down to the canvas. The end result was a mesmerizing display of intricate patterns created using the natural forces of fluid dynamics. Pollock’s unique approach led to works described by the Museum of Modern Art as “less a picture than a record of the fluid properties of paint itself.”While the Harvard scientists appreciate the beauty of Pollock’s artistic process, their primary objective is to use these principles to enhance 3D printing technology. By drawing inspiration from the way Pollock intuitively leaned on the laws of physics to control the flow of paint, the researchers aim to create complex shapes with remarkable intricacy and efficiency.
In essence, they are developing a 3D-printing method that echoes the creative and innovative spirit of Jackson Pollock. While it may not be about designing a Pollock-driven by computer algorithms, this new technique brings together the worlds of art and technology to pave the way for a future where complex shapes are produced more quickly, thanks to the principles of fluid dynamics and artificial intelligence. As this promising journey unfolds, we can only imagine the incredible creations that will emerge from this marriage of art and technology, celebrating the legacy of Jackson Pollock while embracing the possibilities of the future.
By Leah Burrows | Press contact. Reverse engineering Jackson Pollock. Jackson Pollock, artist and physicist? . Harvard Scientists Develop New 3D-Printing Method Inspired By Jackson Pollock.
