Fairs | NYC, 3D Print Design Show

The 3D Print Design show took place at the Javits Convention Center, part of the 3D Print Week NY 
(April 13-17).  
   3D printing is such a phenomenon that often it is difficult to discern the true value from the hype. The art show was definitely disappointing, with a remake of the Warhol's Brillo box in a mirrored room —reminiscent of Yajoi Kusama infinity rooms but without the attention to details and conceptual.
   The much advertised fashion show was also somehow disappointing, considering what can be done with other older mass produced technologies e.g.  metallic fabric, polymers, without the massive time investment required by 3D printing.  
  The most interesting part was the exhibit hall showcasing the latest 3D printers for the both the industrial, but mainly, the consumer oriented market. It is impressive what can be done with printers under $3000: the Lulzbot printer was particularly interesting for its capability of printing many materials —including polycarbonate, nylon and wood filaments— at the resolution of  0.07mm layer thickness.
  Definitely medical products seems to be the most promising 3D printing application, where the high precision and customization of 3D printed end products are most suited and cost-effective. 3D printed medical applications vary broadly in scale and materials, ranging from anatomical models and insoles to  prosthetics, tissue and organ reconstruction and implants, 

I appreciated the keynote session "The Search for the Killer App" presented by Peter Leys, executive chairman of the Belgian 3D printing services company materialise. My criticism was somehow confirmed: 3D printing is valuable when it offers a difference in making end products.

3D printed musical instruments

A few ornaments and dress from the 3D printed fashion show

Fairs | New York, ICFF

International Contemporary Furniture Fair

New York City, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

A yearly gathering of some of the world's best furniture makers - large and small - from austere to overtly decorative. Here are a few scenes from the last four days.

Screens of cut-out material using CAD/CAM process (computer aided design / computer aided manufacturing)

Among all the examples of new technology, there was also this African man methodically weaving fabric into wonderful tapestries and carpets.

An example of his work.

Just ten meters from the African weaver was this CAD/CAM machine, carving out sculptures of wood from a computer design.

A table base produced by the CAD/CAM machine.

And lights were everywhere - often made of folded origami-type forms.

DF

Fairs | NYC, ICFF

Design Fairs | NYC, ICFF at the Convention Center

Spring is in full bloom, so is ICFF, the 22nd annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

I have always enjoyed the fresh and innovative ideas, research on new materials often presented by the ICFF exhibitors, especially when compared to the usual stiffness and staleness of the recent current architectural projects in NYC.

The usual presence of established manufacturers --- such as Bernarhdt Design, Herman Miller, Kohler, Wilsonart --- is accompanied by a multitude of designers and schools, including Parson, the New School for Design, Pratt Institute, Yale School of Architecture. Particularly interesting among the design school is Art Future Design School from Russia, presenting furniture created from common Russian iconic objects, as matryoska.

"Green" and nature are the again the buzzwords in materials and design, often just used as cliché and quite questionable. Where is the sustainability of reclaimed wood imported from Asia ---what about transportation? And what is natural and sustainable in the recreation of trees, branches and flowers in steel and plastic?

Quite interesting ---although not new--- is the Canadian Molo line of products realized in non-woven polyethylene material, trade name Tyvek©. From modular walls to LED lighting this extremely lightweight material offers a very interesting vocabulary of forms.

Finally I found particularly of interest ---probably as related to my upcoming book on architectural geometry (to be published by Bentley Institute Press)--- the MGX by Materialise: functional and sculptural object realized in 3d-printing.

One missing element from the green + sustainability shebang: the human body.

Well, enough words; below a few images .

Tyvek© Walls and Lighting by Molo

3d Printing in Lighting Fixture by MGX by Materialise

LG Seating

LED Lightinh by QisDesign