Jake Dotson with two “Spine Towers”.
On October 10, 2013 the IFF’s second Science + Art Residency begins and we welcome Jake Dotson to our space. Dotson coined the term “liberation geometry” to describe his socially-conscious design practice, which is engaged in the development of more accessible, effective, and pleasurable systems for generating architecture. He has spent the past several years exploring the possibilities of crystalline geometry using simple bamboo sticks to build intricate networks of interlinking platonic solids and other mathematical modules. Just as crystals in the mineralogical realm self-assemble from basic geometric units, so Dotson’s structures are driven by a rigorous internal logic — once the axioms of a system are defined, the forms almost build themselves. In addition to the structural applications of his work, there is a compelling organic dimension. Like living creatures with bones and spines, Dotson’s forms are both structurally strong and surprisingly dynamic. Working at different scales — from the hand-held to huge gallery-filling “space frames”– and always with an emphasis on tactile research, Dotson will use the residency as an opportunity to explore and generate a landscape of form that resides at the boundary of the animal, the mineral, and the architectural.
Please join us for residency-related programming:
OPEN STUDIO
Jake will be working at the Institute in an open-studio mode on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for the duration of his residency. Stop by between 12noon – 6:30pm on those days to observe, discuss, participate, or collaborate!
WORKSHOPS
Elementary Space Filling Part 1 or, Some Things That Can Be Done With Tetrahedrons
Saturday October 19, 2:00-5:00pm
We welcome you to attend an introductory workshop to learn the basics of Jake Dotson’s experimental maths-based building technique. You’ll learn to weave twisted tetrahedral units that can be joined and configured in different ways, allowing you to design your own iterative structures and construct a tetrahedral structure out of hand-dyed sticks to take home. Beginning and advanced builders welcome. Age 16 and up. $25 materials fee. Register here.
Pentagonal Pyramid Workshop – Saturday October 26, 2:00-5:00pm
Calling all builders and weavers! Jake Dotson will introduce you to his iterative building technique using woven bamboo skewers. In this three-hour hands-on session, you’ll learn to build pentagonal pyramid units–a section of an icosahedron–and join them together into the ‘aura frame’ to take home. This method of building can applied to DIY architecture, so we welcome those interested in hands-on experimentation at all scales. Beginning and advanced crafters welcome. Age 16 and up. $25 fee includes hand-dyed sticks. Register here.
Tetrahedral Paper Mobile Workshop
 – Saturday November 23, 2:00-5:00pm
Learn Jake Dotson’s math-based building technique as you build a beautiful paper and stick thing hanging mobile. This space framing method can be applied to many fields, from decorative design to large-scale architecture. Get a hands-on introduction to this innovative practice and go home with your own tetrahedral hanging structure. Beginning and advanced crafters welcome. Age 16 and up. $25 fee includes hand-dyed sticks and colored paper. Register here.
BUILDING LABS
Saturday November 9, 2:00-6:00pm
Join Jake Dotson to collectively construct a space frame structure in the IFF’s back offices. Dotson’s iterative building technique is a dynamic and free form exercise in filling space geometrically. Forming a temporary community you and other curious crafters will learn how to construct the modular units and use them to create large-scale architecture. Age 13 and up. Free.
Saturday December 14, 4:00-9:00pm
Building Event and Celebration. All ages welcome. Free.