Davide Prete

Director of Fabrication lab at CUA / Adj. Professor of Sculpture at Corcoran School of Art - GWU
The Catholic University of America
Washington DC, USA

My latest experiments blend traditional blacksmithing techniques with 3d printing and laser scanning.
Using toroidal warping of a truncated Scherk minimal surface shapes, I made a series of work that use 3D modeling and 3D printing as first step for the creation of complicate mathematical shapes.
I also experimented a lot, since 2010, with lost ABS, Nylon, PLA casting where 3D printed materials take the place of wax in a reinterpretation of the original casting technique.
Sculptures can be scaled in different sizes and made in different materials thanks to latest 3D printed technologies.

The Arch
The Arch
10 x 4 x 8 cm
Bronze cast from 3D Printed ABS
2011

Sculpture made from toroidal warping of a truncated Scherk minimal surface.
The bronze cast is traditionally obtained using the 3D Printed ABS as positive for the lost ABS cast.

Compass
Compass
17 x 17 x 40 cm
Bronze cast from 3D Printed ABS
2014

Sculpture made from toroidal warping of a truncated Scherk minimal surface.
The bronze cast is traditionally obtained using the 3D Printed ABS as positive for the lost ABS cast.