Andrew Reach

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My experimentation in working in 3D to create 2D wall artworks first began with my commission to create a 3d printed tactile sculpture for the exhibition W/O Limits: Art, Chronic Illness, & Disability at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve. I would take a deep dive into territory I briefly took back in 2015 with my 3d printed “MODEL CITIZENS” sculptures I created for my solo show “BITS IN PIECES” at the Maria Neil Art Project. As an architect my brain thinks in both 3D and 2D. I haven’t practiced architecture since 2005 and my transition into an artist had my brain delve into new territory that I think was inside me all along but waiting for the time for it to express itself. This new terrain involved thinking differently about the creative process with a focus in 2D, with a vocabulary of color and shapes in a single plane.

So that brings me to the present and these first two artworks in a series I’m calling “3D Derivatives”. The idea of an artist being derivative often has a negative connotation, as being imitative of another artist. But I’m using this word in a different context; that of something that is derived from a source, in this case the source being a 3d model. The process of creating the 3D printed hash sign first began with 3D modeling. With the model I rendered different color schemes. I could get a very good approximation of what it would look like in the real world. With this 3d model a lightbulb went off in my head as I realized this could be a tool to create 2d artworks by exporting a render to create a print.

A 3d model can be viewed in many ways, orthographically and in perspective, from the top, bottom and sides, from different angles, rotated… etc.

QUADRABAR Animation
For best viewing experience click on bottom left to watch on youtube.

These are the first derivatives of QUADRABAR, titled so because it’s a series of cubes intersected by bars. QUADRABAR I (orthographic) is looking at a top view of the 3d model as an orthographic projection. Orthographic projection is a means to represent 3D objects in 2D. Think of architectural drawings of a house called Elevations representing each side of the house in a flat plane. QUADRABAR I (perspective) is looking from the same vantage point but in perspective. This view begins to tell you that there is more going on than can be seen in the orthographic view. The cubes are shifting up and down, undulating in a wave like formation. In the renders, there is a light source coming from the upper left casting shadows across the forms that adds further dimension.

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UPDATE: Click here to QUADRABAR I, the first of the artworks derived from this 3D model

I’ve been working on a new piece in 3d in Blender. Made up of multi-colored cubes intersected with multi-colored bars, the cubes step up and down, forming a kind of undulating geography. Here’s a short fly around screen cast of it.

I’m using this 3d medium as a new way to make 2d prints. This is a new artistic process for me I’m calling 3d Derivatives. When I made a 3d printed Hash sign for the recent W/O Limits exhibition at the Artists Archives, I first did renders of it to study the form. A lightbulb went off in my head and I realized I could take these renders, export them out and transform them into 2d cnc cut-out prints. Here’s an example: ESCAPE HASH II – CNC Cut-Out Print on Acrylic

My next step with this piece is to study renders with different light sources at different inclinations to cast realistic shadows across the forms. I can set up camera views looking at the forms in multiple ways; from the top, the sides, at angles, rotated etc. In addition to this, I can view it in perspective or orthographically. With the right views and lighting, I’ll be able to do high resolution renders and export them out to be printed on acrylic and cut out on a cnc router. Stay tuned for 2d artworks derived from this 3d model to come.

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Like all of us, as another year is about to fly away into memory, each of us has had challenges that live among the joys we experienced this year. In 2023 we look towards the new year to come as a fresh start. With hope in our hearts, Bruce and I wish you and all the loved ones that touch you, joy this holiday season. And to all our creative friends we look forward to seeing the beauty to come.

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