Today we’d like to introduce you to Garrett Durland.
Hi Garrett, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2018 Garrett Durland went from being an engineer at Oak Ridge National Lab to running a 3D printed bathroom sign business. Looking to print with materials other than plastic, in 2020 he focused on ceramics and created a clay 3D printer by modifying a plastic printer. He uses parametric techniques to precisely position clay coils and loops, imitating the fractal beauty built into natural and fantastical objects.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am often inspired by the accidents and miscalculations that occur while printing. Most collapses end up being scrapped, but I rejoice when the piece fails in such a way where it becomes a unique feature of the finished product.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work uses ancient pottery techniques blended with the convenience of digital bits and bytes. Pottery has been a part of human life since ancient times, and coil building techniques in particular have been around for more than 4,000 years. In contrast, the popularity of 3D printing started to take off only ten years ago. These techniques seem like natural friends despite the large time gap in their comparative histories.
I enjoy pushing the boundaries of what is possible with clay 3D printing. I use a modified 3D printer to print clay that I have prepared by wedging in extra water with my hands until I detect the correct viscosity or thickness of the clay. With the assistance of a machine I can precisely position clay coils and loops, imitating the beauty of natural objects using computer aided drawing techniques.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Because Oak Ridge is tucked away in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, I get to enjoy diverse plants and wildlife. I love foraging for mushrooms, and along the way I see shimmering salamanders, eastern box turtles, barred owls.
What do I like least? The White Tailed Deer! The ones who live it the city know how to stay off the roads, but they end up eating everyone’s plants. Unless you fence in y0ur garden, they will eat almost anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Layerupceramics.com
- Instagram: @tinkerandprint
