Josh Harker's new campaign
They say that necessity is the mother of invention and in Joshua Harker’s case the necessity to further push the boundaries of what is possible with his 3D printed art has led him to developing a wholly new 3D printing technology.
Josh, who spoke at last year’s TCT Show, is uniquely placed as a user of 3D printing who understands deeply the needs of other users to create a more reliable work process for intricacies like those in his artworks. Could this knowledge lead to a brand new way of 3D printing in the home?
The device is in what Josh describes as PHASE 1, but he’s turned to the old hunting ground of crowdfunding in order to get his printer off the ground. Unusually for a Kickstarter campaign involving a 3D printer, Harker is not offering the device itself but works of limited edition artwork in order to raise funds to budge development along.
The collection of filigree floral sculptures known as Mazzo di Firori are available from as little as $40, offering a unique opportunity to not only own a piece of sort after artwork but support a project from one of 3D printing’s greatest minds.
Josh says his new method of 3D printing is totally different of that which is available on the market now but can’t divulge many more details about what the printer does.
“I want to let you know specifically what I'm asking your support for but until provisional patents are filed & in the interest of protecting the IP, I cannot yet reveal the functional details of the printer.” Says Harker on his Kickstarter page.
Though technical details are minimal he does go on to say that it is multi-material, precision full colour, is on par with current industry standard hi-res machinery, high speed, plug and play, with non-structural and reusable support coming in at, staggeringly, less than $1,000! Bold claims indeed.
Josh Harker’s latest career trajectory from artist to inventor follows the path of perhaps the world’s most famous polymath, Leonardo Da Vinci. In fact, the comparisons between the two don’t start and end at artist turned inventor; like Da Vinci Joshua Harker’s childhood could be described as alternative and like Da Vinci, Harker’s art began with anatomical and forensic drawings.
Just imagine if Da Vinci had 3D printing and Kickstarter? We’d all be getting to work on Aerial Screws and fighting wars with Robotic Knights.
