Inspired by organic floral forms, this set of copper vases serve as standalone pieces of art or functional vases. The two sizes create a balance between the two, a sort of yin yang relationship. The form naturally evolves from the bulbous bottom stretching to bloom at the top. Cutouts following the form create an easy way to fill the vases with water from the bottom. Cascading floral arrangements best visually complement the design.
Tall Vase Height: 13"
Short Vase Height: 10"
Development
Design was focused on integrating organic form into functional design. The neck is wide enough for up to 3 flower stems and the bottom is large enough to acommodate water. Structural balance was tested with miniature 3D printed prototypes. The visual design has evolved from the original plan to expose the stem through the negative vertical space of the vase. This idea was debunked because the exposed shape of the stem could easily interfere with the form of the vase neck. Several variations of the vase neck were also designed including twists and curves to emphasis the twisting form of a flower's stem, but ultimately the simple straight neck was deemed best for the first prototypes. Then, minor adjustments were made to fix proportions from top to bottom.
Below: Two views of early vase design renders. The gray cylinder represents how the flower stem was originally supposed to be placed through openings on the top and bottom of the vase. Evolution of the design goes from right to left.
Fabrication
The tall vase was designed in 3ds Max and 3D printed full scale to make a two part plaster mold (photo 1). Then, the mold was filled with wax with a cathode rod inserted from the top. The small vase design was hand carved from wax based on a miniature 3D printed model. The wax on both vases were then spray painted with conductive copper spray paint and placed in the electroforming tank to be plated in copper (photo 2). After a few days in the tank, the vases were removed and wax melted out with a heat gun (photos 3-5). Finally, filing and sanding was executed to a high polish finish.
© 2014 Allison Holden. All rights reserved.
