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Bathsheba GrossmanMathematical sculptures
I'm an artist exploring the region between art and mathematics, and this is my gallery and storefront. My work is about life in three dimensions: working with symmetry and balance, getting from a zero point to infinity, and always finding beauty in geometry.
That's to say, I like to think about shapes, and occasionally I think up a new one, and usually they come out very symmetrical. I'm like any artist in that it's difficult to explain exactly how and why this happens.
So I'll write about my odd points as an artist. First, I've studied more mathematics than most. I don't use it very directly – I'm absolutely not a mathematician, and most of my designs are drawn rather than computed – but it's plain that my creative engine has a lot of math embedded in it.
Second, I use a lot of technology. 3D printing in metal is the main way that I work, and I also do a lot with subsurface laser damage in glass. This isn't because I love gadgets; it's much more trouble and expense to use new media instead of the more mature techniques that most sculptors enjoy. I do it because the shapes I have in mind aren't moldable, and I want to make a lot of them. Those two constraints, taken together, turn out to be remarkably constraining: ordinary sculpture technology just does not do the job
Third, I have an unusual business model. I don't limit editions; I price as close as possible to my cost; I sell through this site, without a gallery. My plan is to make a lot of affordable art, instead of fewer costly pieces, because I think that's the best way to get the word out. I compare it to book publishing: if Stephen King published hand-illuminated manuscripts costing a million dollars apiece, he'd probably make the same amount of money, but there wouldn't be nearly as many readers. I want to measure the value of my work not by artificially driving up its price, but by bringing it to everyone who is interested.
That said, most people's main question is "Are you making a living at it?" At present I'm happy to say that I am; the sculpture business has grown more than I ever expected. This does not mean that you should quit your day job – I finished art school over 10 years ago, and for most of that period I worked half-time as a programmer, college teacher, tech writer, typist, etc. In the other half I made sculpture as best I could, and I suppose most people thought I was more or less delusional. It wasn't until the late 90's that 3D printing began to be available at the level that could do my work, and then, quite suddenly, I began to be an artist.
That was satisfying, but of course it brought new challenges as I studied up on CAD, made my mistakes with technology, and started figuring how to make the money work. There's always so much to do! I've tried to include on this site everything that you need to understand what I do, and to take up the subject yourself if you feel inclined. There's plenty of room.
To close, I hope you like the designs. They're visions of order in the universe, my peaceful places. I feel calm and hopeful in making them, and I hope they will bring some of the same satisfaction into your life. |  |
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Creations from Bathsheba Grossman | | | | | | | | | | |
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