David Bachman

Professor of Mathematics
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA

Most of the art I create begins with a form that I have come across, either in the physical or metaphysical world, that strikes me as having some inner beauty. I am particularly interested in forms that are governed by an underlying mathematical principle, but that are at the same time unique. I then create a mathematical model that captures the essence of this beauty, and use this model to guide the construction of a physical object. The construction process begins on a computer, where I blend scripted components with (virtually) hand-built elements, and typically ends with fabrication by a 3D printer.

Trefoiled
Trefoiled
11 x 23 x 24 cm
3D printed "sandstone" (gypsum powder + binder)
2016
Toroweave
Toroweave
10 x 25 x 25 cm
3D printed "sandstone" (gypsum powder + binder)
2016

These pieces were each created from two copies of a diamond tiling of a torus. The interior of each face of the tilings was removed, and the resulting webs were alternately offset in opposite directions to form a weave. Complementary colors are used to distinguish the two interlinked forms, which are completely disjoint.