Here is the exported .ply file in Meshlab, ready for cleanup and quantization. Now that it’s in this form I can slice it up into layers using the same quantization code I used for the last beaded sculpture, to turn it into another piece rebuilt using colored beads on nylon monofilament. We are still working on preserving the vertex color you can see in Meshlab; I’m hoping the next sculpture will use colored beads, not just black.

I am going to make this piece about twice the size of the last one, so around 20″ x 15″, and with several thousand beads. It should take about the same amount of time though, as I’m much quicker this time and I won’t be hosting an open studio while I work!

I would love for this to be a room-sized installation, and am writing exhibition proposals for that now. At that scale I’m going to need some interns…

I am also investigating laser-cut acrylic and optical adhesive as an alternative support for the beads (I can use the same Inkscape .svg slice files I used as a guide for the beads last time). In fact the test sheets are being cut this week, so I’ll report back soon…