thomas medicus' glass sculptures digitize butterfly growth

intrigued by the phenomena of natural metamorphosis, austrian artist thomas medicus creates crystalis — a series of digitally designed glass sculptures with extensive 3D volumes. these tessellated pieces borrow the structural richness of chrysalis (or pupae), an advanced transformation stage of butterfly larvae right before they release themselves from their cocoons.

the series titled ‘crystalis’ is influenced by the natural metamorphosis stage of butterflies, known as chrysalis
all images © philipp medicus

crafting a total of three pieces, thomas medicus has interpreted that natural occurence as a digitized chrysalis with abstracted architectures. after 3D modeling the geometric structures on a computer software, all glass fragments have been hand-cut and joined together manually. in the end, wanting to highlight that relationship between nature and architecture, driftwoods are enclosed by the triangulated glass structures.

detail view: the fragments are digitally designed 

driftwoods are encapsulated by the triangulated glass architecture

the series re-interprets the natural phenomena of chrysalis through digital and architectural dimensions

detail view: glass fragments are hand-cut and joined together manually

wood logs vary in terms of width, orientation and textures

the natural and unique texture of each driftwood is complemented by the tessellating glass frame

detail view: triangulation versus organic flow 

the series include three glass sculptures

digital 3D modeling of the geometric structure

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom