Digital sculpture is often treated as a high-concept branch of art
theory, but let’s look at the actual fabrication technology: 3D printing
is the most novel, flexible, wide-ranging method of making things to
appear since lost-wax casting.  That was at least 6000 years ago, and
this does more.

This talk will examine some of the physical possibilities enabled by
applying 3D printing to sculpture, as I have explored them in the last
15 years.  My focus is on the use of premium materials, combined with
designs that add value unique to the process.  I’ll discuss subjects and
styles of object-making that 3DP encourages, and ways that it can
interact with more traditional sculpture methods.

I’ll also touch on its economics, drawing on my observations as the
field has grown from a low-traffic mailing list to a widely popularized
medium.  Artists are notorious early adopters of technology, and
additive manufacturing was no exception: art was the fast-growing seed
market that forced the technology into a wide break – perhaps before it
was ready.

Bio:
Bathsheba is a sculptor in the medium of 3D printing, known since the
mid-1990’s for her work with symmetrical and geometrical forms, and for
pioneering both the use of steel printing for sculpture, and the
marketing of additive-fabricated models direct to consumers.  She has
operated a 3D printing service bureau, taught at Pratt Institute, and
done a lot of programming and web development.  She holds an M.F.A. in
Sculpture from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.S. in Mathematics
from Yale.  Her designs have appeared in museums, gift shops, TV shows,
designer lighting, math and science papers, coffee-table books, and toy
shops.