Assignment 5: The Hyperbolic-Paraboloidesque Silicone Lamp

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By anonymous student

The exploration was an attempt to 'give shape' to an otherwise completely malleable material by using it in conjunction with a slender but rigid armature. The result is a lamp fixture where the silicone canopy / light is given a hyperbolic paraboloid form (and powered) by its acrylic stand.

Click on the first photo to continue.

Photo of a flat mold with raised pattern, and a molded piece of silicone. Photo of two pieces of fabric cut into a highly-branched shape. Photo of one of the laser cut fabric pieces, with several small white lights attached to branches. Photo of four pieces of plastic that will be assembled into the lamp stand. Photo of the assembled lamp stand, with four thin curved supports on the top. Photo of whitish silicone in the mold. Close-up photo of silicone in the mold, with the laser-cut fabric embedded in the silicone. Photo of the lamp base showing the piece touching the battery is covered in aluminum foil. Photo of the lamp base connected to the silicone mold with alligator clips, and lights in the silicone turned on. Close-up photo of silicone in the mold, with several small lights embedded in the silicone and illuminated. Photo of the assembled lamp on a table, side view. Close-up photo of the assembled lamp, showing detail of the silicone, fabric, and illuminated SMDs. Photo of the lamp in a dark room, highlighting the light pattern.