Art
Rotational moulding has become a popular technique in art installations due to its ability to create large, seamless, and hollow forms with organic or geometric shapes. The process, typically using durable plastics, allows artists to produce lightweight yet sturdy sculptures that can be customised in terms of colour, texture, and light transmission. This flexibility has led to the creation of both abstract and functional art pieces, including interactive public installations where people can engage physically with the works.
The technique is particularly valuable for large-scale sculptures and outdoor installations, as the moulded pieces are weather-resistant and easy to transport. Rotomoulding's ability to integrate lighting elements also adds a dynamic dimension to art, with artists often incorporating internal light sources to create illuminated, glowing sculptures. Its application in art often blurs the line between design and functionality, enabling collaborations between artists, designers, and engineers to push creative boundaries.
Above: Tokujin Yoshioka, Egg Lights
Jeffrey “Jeff” Koons (born January 21 1955) is known for using a variety of industrial techniques to create his artwork, and rotational moulding is one such process that he has employed, particularly in his “Balloon Dog” series. The series emulates the appearance of inflated balloons, but is crafted from heavy-duty materials, such as stainless steel, which are often polished to a mirror-like finish. While rotomoulding is often associated with plastic, Koons used advanced engineering to adapt the technique for his massive sculptures. His sculptures are paradoxical in that they are visually delicate but physically imposing and substantial.
Read more about Jeff Koons on Artsy.
Right: Cat on a Clothesline by Jeff Koons
The Regeneration Art Project, particularly known for its iconic Pink Snails, is a public art installation created by the Italian art collective Cracking Art Group. The project gained international attention for its use of vibrant, large-scale animal sculptures, particularly snails, which are made from recyclable plastic. These snails, often bright pink, are part of Cracking Art’s mission to draw attention to sustainability and environmental issues by transforming urban spaces with art.
Learn more about Cracking Art on their website.
Blob Wall, designed by architect Greg Lynn, is a modular wall system made from lightweight, recyclable, and impact-resistant polymer. This innovative design features uniquely shaped pieces that fit together like jigsaw blocks, allowing for a wide variety of 3D configurations. The irregular forms were produced using a CNC machine, ensuring precision and creativity in shaping the individual units. Its freestanding structure is suitable for both interior and exterior applications, providing flexibility in architectural design.
The realisation of Blob Wall came through Lynn's collaboration with Panelite, a company specialising in advanced architectural materials, and Machineous, which developed a robotic arm to shape the custom modules. Each piece is formed as a tri-lobed, hollow unit, with no two walls being the same. The vast range of possible configurations, combined with numerous colour options, offers nearly limitless design potential. Blob Wall challenges traditional architecture by exploring new possibilities in modular design, merging art, design, and architecture into a single dynamic structure.
Learn more about Greg Lynn's Blob Wall here.
