Solar Sinter

“In a world increasingly concerned with questions of energy production and raw material shortages, this project explores the potential of desert manufacturing, where energy and material occur in abundance.

In this experiment sunlight and sand are used as raw energy and material to produce glass objects using a 3D printing process, that combines natural energy and material with high-tech production technology.

Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilisation of the production potential of the world’s most efficient energy resource – the sun. Whilst not providing definitive answers, this experiment aims to provide a point of departure for fresh thinking.”

http://www.markuskayser.com/

Rep Rap Pro Mendel printing another Rep Rap

by Adrian Bowyer

Design Hacktivism

Otto Von Busch

“Hacking as a modifying culture as always been around but became a broader technological activity with amateur radio and car modding in the 1020s. It is rooted with classic Do-it-yourself (DIY) culture but became “hacking” first with the introduction of computers. As such it started out as an academic subculture where the computers were rare and software programs shared among users and programmers.” (29)

“ It is usually an activity on making technology work the way one wants by direct interventions into the functional systems and operations of a machine or device;”

“Hacking is a practice of re-design by furthering the central copy and paste commands of programming. It’s more about using parts in unexpected ways or creating cross-over than creating something truly unique, but at the same time preserving original parts. Repurposing original tools and modus operandi.” (31)

“Hacking can also label the field where crafts meets political activism-‘craftivism’. Craftivism is a reinvention of craft, by updating or hacking tradition…the same crafts find new meanings through adapting the for new uses and patterns, and reinserting the activity itself into contemporary society, now meaning something else.” (33)

“In the sectors and modes of production in society there is also a production of immaterial property. This is something getting especially apparent when the production lines and products become intangible, as in code, innovation, or myth” (36)

“hacking is the creation of interfaces where fields of action becomes ready to use and at hand, unlocking a closed border to become a palpable interface. The hack is a practice that makes tools accessible and open for further exploration, revealing possibilities. Replacing monologues with a position of talking back – to engage in dialogues. The hack is this process of opening and sharing, exposing the inside of a black box, but not necessary demystifying it. A magician hat hacked will still be the home of rabbits, but also much more.” (56)