The creative process is a beautiful thing

'The Power of Making' exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum expresses this by not only showing great ideas that have a successful end result, but also some examples of how problems are solved through innovative design. An example of this is the RepRap open-source, self-replicating 3D printer by Dr Adrian Bowyer of Bath University (below). As well as the ability to create a three dimensional form, it also can reproduce identical machines to itself so the product has great potential for environmental sustainability.

RepRap open-source, self-replicating 3D printer (2007-2011), Dr Adrian Bowyer

One of the fashion designers using science to innovate is Dr Manel Torres, who has developed a new substance of which to create garments that potentially has a smaller enviromental impact than traditional methods of creating fabrics. His 'Fabrican' spray-on dress (below) is sprayed on around a frame or directly onto the body that sets to form this interesting material.



'Fabrican' spray-on dress (2010), Dr Manel Torres

Whilst on the subject of unconventional garment materials, these two dresses below are made from audio cassette tape and dressmakers pins respectively.

 

'Voidness' woven audio-tape dress (2008) (above) is also sewn together using polyester thread. When the magnetic head from a tape player is dragged along the tape it creates a 'garbled, underwater-like sound'.

'Widow' dressmaker pin dress (2009) by Susie MacMurray

Another interesting idea is this Snowflake Address Christmas Card by the Heatherwick Studio (below). One large piece of paper is folded and the recipient's name & address is cut out, so that it unfolds into a beautiful snowflake. The envelope, recipient's details, stamp and then Christmas card all become one.

Snowflake Address Christmas Card (2009) by the Heatherwick Studio

I like the organic design of these Design MGX Fingerprint lampshades (2007) below, designed by Dan Yeffet, one of which is featured in the exhibition. 

The Wooden Textile by Elisa Strozyk (below) is made of many tessellated triangles of wood that together give the impression that its made from fabric. As it can be manipulated to create different shapes it potentially could have many uses, such as a possible garment design or a lampshade (with the light partially coming through where the wood joins together).

Wooden Textile (2011), Elisa Strozyk

As the visitor enters this exhibition, the first thing they actually see is this huge gorilla (below) made out of coat hangers and wire. This visually striking piece is the 'King Silver' gorilla sculpture (2011) by David Mach RA.

My final highlight of the show was Dave Bradbury's 'Bill Bailey' stone book (2010) (below). When you look closely at this book, it becomes apparent that not just the cover but the whole thing is carved entirely from stone! 

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/power-of-making/