New Textiles 2011

I’ve recently become interested in the diagrid pattern and its variations. For this project, I laser cut a mold from masonite and plexiglass.

1st Diagrid Mold

I created the first mold from masonite  (1/8″) and used Smooth-On to cast the mold. The Smooth-On mold was very messy and runny. I wrapped it in three layers of wax paper and taped it to prevent leakage and let it sit for three days. After three days, however, the mold was not fully set. Despite this mold being very greasy — a feature intended to aid in the extraction process — I had a great deal of difficulty getting the mold out of the cast.

Smooth-On mold

Masonite

Smooth-On in masonite

2nd Diagrid Mold

I created the second mold from plexiglass (1/16″) and used another mold for casting. This mold was extremely viscous (but not as messy). I wasn’t quick enough pouring the mold into the cast and it became more viscous (hardened) as I worked my way across the mold (right to left) and air pockets formed on the left side of the mold. Additionally, I applied the final layer of the mold (smallest diagrids) on top too late — when I pulled it off the mold, it created an uneven surface across the already setting mold.

Plexiglass cast

plexiglass cast

Final Rubber Mold