Akio Harada: Pla-tsugi: Modern Kintsugi through Digital Fabrication
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Title:
- Pla-tsugi: Modern Kintsugi through Digital Fabrication
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Artist Statement:
“Pla-tsugi” is a contemporary restoration technique developed by the artist, inspired by the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi and Yobitsugi. Instead of gold, this method uses PLA, a material for 3D printers, to reassemble broken fragments or integrate new parts, thereby recreating the object’s form and value. Essential tools for Pla-tsugi include a 3D scanner, VR/MR headsets, a 3D printer, PC software “Blender,” and MR headset software “Gravity Sketch.” By reconstructing broken pieces in a VR space and printing them with a 3D printer, the method has become a feasible approach to craftsmanship with the advancements in technology post-2023. The current exhibition showcases objects reimagined from broken fragments and features evolving Pla-tsugi techniques and their creation processes, along with live demonstrations by the artist.
