Artists
Statement
I am a retired mathematician and enjoy creating assembly puzzles from intriguing geometric solids. The challenge is to decompose the target shape into a small number of pieces which can interlock to form this shape. In the design process, one must carefully consider the symmetry of the target shape, and often during the process one finds new insights and understanding of the geometry involved. I have several 3D printers, and my medium is PLA or PETG plastic.
Artworks
Rosebud: Three identical pieces and three mirror image pieces assemble into an intermediate stellation of the rhombic dodecahedron. The pieces assemble in five different ways into this shape, the most complex assembly requires coordinate motion where all six pieces move simultaneously. The underside of the stand is a jig to assist with this assembly. This puzzle was inspired by Rosebud, a puzzle invented in 1983 by Stewart Coffin.
Compound of Three Cubes: Six pieces assemble into a Compound of Three Cubes where each cube is a different color. There are three identical pieces and three identical mirror images (ignoring colors). Each piece contains all three colors, and thus a part of each cube.
I found an arrangement of twelve cylinders where each cylinder touches six others. I doubled the diameter of each cylinder and replaced each with a screw or threaded rod, cutting notches at the intersections. The coloring gives the appearance of four interlocking triangles, a snub cube fits perfectly in the center. This puzzle can be easily unscrewed into twelve threaded rods, reassembly is more difficult.