
Idriss B. Jumeirah Al Naseem
Sea turtles abound in the glistening Arabian Gulf. Thousands of these fascinating animals live in the sea near Dubai, dip, dive, and flourish in warm, tropical seas. Turtles are unfortunately endangered by a variety of factors, including hunting, boat strikes, marine pollution, and coastal development. This is where Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project comes in. The wonderful center, located near Jumeirah Al Naseem, rescues, rehabilitates and releases turtles into the ocean. The Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Operation, headquartered inside the five-star Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel, has rescued, rehabbed, and released 1,600 turtles since its inception in 2004.
How 3D printing is being utilized to aid endangered animals like sea turtles? 3D printing is not just utilized for 3d printing prosthetic shells or flippers; it can also aid in crucial conservation programs. The Jumeirah hotel group is promoting awareness for sea turtle conservation with the installation of some amazing 3D Printed turtle structures in Dubai.
Idriss B, a French/Tunisian artist in Dubai, likes making one-of-a-kind polygonal art and has already worked on several very incredible projects around the beautiful city in Dubai and around the world. For Jumeirah’s turtle conservation program, he recently produced nine giant 3D printed polygenic turtle sculptures, and this is where Proto21 stepped in.
Proto21 collaborated with Idriss B and created nine giant turtles. We met the renowned artist Idriss B and understood all of his requirements before accepting the challenge. After meeting the artist, we gathered or dedicated design and printing team members discussed the requirements, and started working on the project. The entire model was 3D printed with multiple parts using different techniques and technologies such as FDM 3d printing for the body and Industrial Plastic Fiber for the turtle shells. We used 43 FDM printers to fabricate the turtles using PLA along with industrial resin hard coating for heat resistance, strength, and protection against humidity. We used almost 125kg of PLA material.
The 3D printed turtle sculptures were created using a sustainable approach, it reasonable given the project’s conservation goal. It was important for us to use environmentally friendly materials, our 3D printing team used Filamentive’s eco-friendly recycled PLA filament to highlight the importance of environmental protection while also reducing the overall environmental impact.
The 3D printed models are installed at multiple locations throughout Dubai, including The Burj Al Arab Hotel, which is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The models were inaugurated by Project Ambassador Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasmi.
Jumeirah Group launched Turtle Tea by Idriss B at the Al Naseem’s Al Mandhar Lounge, when guests first walk into the hotel lobby, they will witness one of the 3D printed turtles from the Idriss B collection, while others will be scattered throughout the property. They’ll also be treated to an afternoon tea with sweet and savory vegan treats, all served on top of chrome turtle sculptures.
If you would like us to make such kind of amazing artistic 3D printed sculptures, please contact us via one of the phone numbers provided below or send us your queries through the website, email, or any social media platforms provided below:
Email: info@proto21.ae
WhatsApp: +971 52 104 9913
Office: +971 4 235 0902
Follow us on:
Instagram: @proto21.ae
LinkedIn: Proto21
YouTube: Proto21 3D Printing LLC
Advantages of 3D Printing Sculptures
Design Freedom:
Artists today have the freedom to think beyond traditional boundaries by embracing 3D printing as their creative tool. This technology empowers them to explore complex geometries and push the limits of design, unlocking possibilities that were once unimaginable.
Precision and Complexity
3D printing technology presents a significant advantage through its capacity to fabricate highly intricate designs that would be exceptionally challenging through manual methods. Structures characterized by complex geometry, hollow forms, and finely detailed textures can be realized with reduced operational input.
Speed and Efficiency
Traditional sculpting methods are often time-intensive, requiring several weeks or months for completion. Conversely, 3D printing technology substantially accelerates the creation process, enabling artists to rapidly prototype and refine their designs prior to finalizing the printed sculpture.
Cost-Effectiveness
3D printing is a cost-effective alternative to traditional sculpting, which often involves expensive materials and generates a lot of waste. 3D printing minimizes waste by only using the necessary material, applied layer by layer.
Accessibility for Artists
The accessibility of cost-effective desktop 3D printers has democratized the creation of sculptures, enabling independent artists who previously lacked access to expensive sculpting tools to produce impressive works. This technological advancement has provided emerging artists with novel opportunities for exploration.
Challenges and Limitations of 3D Printed Sculpture
Material Constraints
Despite these benefits, limitations persist regarding 3D printing materials. Certain materials exhibit fragility, and the replication of natural textures found in traditional materials such as marble or wood remains a challenge..
Ethical Concerns in Art and Technology
There’s an ongoing debate about whether 3D printed sculptures are "authentic" art. Since artists can replicate designs effortlessly, some argue that it devalues the uniqueness of sculptures.
Technical Learning Curve
Unlike traditional sculpting, 3D printing requires knowledge of digital modeling, software, and printer calibration, making it a steep learning curve for traditional artists.
The Future of 3D Printing in Sculpture
As technology advances, 3D printing will become even more integrated into the art world. Future innovations may include AI-assisted design, self-assembling sculptures, and even bio-printing using organic materials.
Conclusion
3D printing is not replacing traditional sculpture; rather, it is enhancing it. By merging the past with the future, this technology is opening up new creative possibilities while challenging the definition of art itself. Whether you see it as a tool or an art form, one thing is certain, 3D printing is revolutionizing modern sculpture in ways we never imagined.