recreational crystallography
February 10, 2009
“Nervous System creates experimental jewelry, combining nontraditional materials like silicone rubber and stainless steel with rapid prototyping methods. We find inspiration in complex patterns generated by computation and nature.”
I’m particularly taken by their radiolaria series of pieces:
They also offer up the algorithm that they use to create patterns as an applet to be played with, or for creating custom jewelery.
They remind me of the patterns made by the Festival Pattern Group for the 1951 Festival of Britain, on display at the Wellcome Collection last year. From the drawings made by x-ray crystallographers, the group created beautiful fabrics, wallpapers, ceramics and more. This amazing machine lace is based upon beryl crystals:
I remember that one of the lace companies was called Witchcraft Laces, which I reckon is a great name. I like the process of these patterns being hand drawn by scientists, adapted by designers, then machine fashioned.
