Wired

Wire Bending Museum, 2022

WIRED

Taking the traditional craft of carnival wire bending and exposing it to an advanced fabrication method one gets the result of a museum located next to the MET working as an exhibit itself. Through practice of the physical craft of wire bending and converting it into a 3D software, the end result was a minimal surface building following the framework of traditional carnival dancing sculptures.

Conceptual Models

FIRST ATTEMPT

In this first digital attempt at creating an advanced fabricated wire bending method, I found how different shapes reacted to the same projected curves. Some had less, while others seemed crowded. The more pipes the better the curvature of the shape showed through therefore signifying a higher chance at creating a skin.

Using spheres, curves, and any form of curvature
Projecting curves onto surfaces from different directions
Secluding isocurves in order to create pipes mimicking wire frame.
Further thinking of how surface would wrap around pipes.

First Attempt

testing out different wire thickness
trying different joint methods
testing different shapes

Results: Found a form of connecting wires that worked for purpose needed. Along with realizing projected pattern was not as important at such a small scale.

testing out different wire thickness
trying different joint methods
testing different sizes
testing rigidness

Results: Found that using either wire or tape to wrap around connection was best technique. Discovered that change in size did not affect rigidness leading to believe that with a good joining technique/craftmanship there is a strong model.

Second Attempt

Results: Found a more regulated set of rules as to not create such a randomized figure. Everything is now derived from a quadrilateral SubD planar surface. Along with a rule of simply manipulating faces, curves, and points.

Starting with SubD planar surface
Extruding edge curves
Extruding singular or multiple faces
Deriving isocurves in order to create pipes to create pipe to surface relation

Last Attempt

For this last attempt at prototypes, I experimented with more complex shapes. I moved away from the single curved surfaces and opted for one with various. I felt successful in the new derivation of isocurves vs projected as well as in applying the physical modeling method preciously attempted. From this attempt I was able to learn more of the surface by using stretchy fabric and being able to see/try where it would join. Along with this I am able to compare to how the surface changes from the digital to physical model.

Using digitally modeled SubD surfaces as a plan
Continuing with wrapping method to join
Continuing with a bigger scale
Physically modeling a skin

Becoming a Building

ELEVATIONS

To the right are four elevations of what could be a

possible building outcome by using the structure derived from twenty foot tall and wide sculptures. This would be done by creating a framing system from the derived contours.

The way the building was designed was by following the previously studied SubD planar surfaces. Using SubD planar surface to act as the floors and ceilings and creating “bridges” in planned out spots to act as vertical circulation, one has a building. From here I had my base building and all that was left to do was to bridge the top to bottom and plan out the interior spaces.

SECTIONS

These two sections are to show how the curved surfaces flow into the interior. It shows of how this whole building is wrapped into each other as the ceiling is the wall but at the same time the floor. Despite being a continuous surface, each piece has its own thickness depending on its service. Through these sections, the contrast with the straight walls is shown. The thought

behind this was to create a piece of art with the building itself as it was created as a form inspired by carnival wire bending. By using linear pieces inside, it creates focus points to further showcase the craft.

Floor Plans

Renders

Tupelo, Mississippi

United States

630 217 0984

ramirezevelyn02@outlook.com