Andrew Yip, IBM: Better United, 2022, acrylic on stereolithographic resin, carrera marble
IBM: Better United is a data visualisation sculpture that represents biodata from participants in the Tour De Cure charity bike race. Commissioned by Apparent for IBM, it was a finalist in the 2022 Australian Graphic Design Association Annual Awards.
The sculpture employs two forms of experimental data visualisation. The main form of the coral describes daily distances completed by five participating pelotons, separated across the three days of the race. The fronds on the right employ data characterstics as an artistic medium: their rate of rotation is procedurally generated based on changes between daily average speeds across the days.
The sculpture was 3D printed in stereolithographic resin and then painted. The main ‘coral’ piece is printed in a single piece – a major technical achievement at the current volumetric limits of SLA printing in Australia. SLA printing was the only manufacturing method able to achieve the consistency of surface, internal concavities and void spaces essential to the design.