There is growing concern about what generative artificial intelligence means for the future. It is faster and cheaper than hiring a human, but what is lost?

The Dala horse, a Swedish symbol symbol of tradition and craftsmanship from 18th-century Mora and Dalarna, becomes a counterpoint.

By letting AI interpret its form, we can discuss our relationship with technology, knowledge and production.

An original Dala horse, made in wood and bought many years ago, is scanned with photogrammetry to capture the shape.

The 3D-model is then interpreted by ChatGPT/DALL·E, and we’re given an image described as:

“The shape attempts to mimic a traditional Dala horse with stylized, simple details.“

The image is then interpreted by another AI to get a 3D-model.

To be useable, both of the meshes have to be remade in Blender.

Finalized model in Autodesk Fusion 360, sliced in different parts and connected with dovetails.

Made in a PLA filament with 40% wood, playing with our expectations by mimicking the qualities of wood.

The parts allow the user to continue the generation.

Prismatic silhouettes of seasonal birds trace the migratory pattern of geese as they depart in autumn and return in spring — created in collaboration with Universeum in Gothenburg.

Brief

Universeum is open year-round and they asked to highlight certain periods by enhancing the feeling of autumn and spring.

Why birds?

Birds are fascinating, essential to our ecosystems, and a clear indicator of the planet’s health.

Their behavior shifts with the seasons. Some change into vibrant plumage for mating, while others travel across the world to raise their young. This project highlights bird migration and Universeum’s dedication to their conservation.

A blend of nature, science, and design, the project acts as a reminder of seasonal shifts and an open invitation to curiosity.

Process

The silhouettes are hung from the roof, and vary in formation depending on the time of year. By lighting them with colors shifting during the day and season, different details are highlighted.

Model made with laser cut silhouettes, by using a filter on acrylic sheets where the material reflects or transmits light at different wavelengths, creating a color-shifting effect depending on the viewing angle and light source.

Technical drawings with dimensions of the full-scale birds.

Constructed box for seasonal storage of the project during winter and summer.

Spring

Autumn

Ecotone

noun

Ecology

1. a region of transition between two biological communities. “ecotones between two habitats are often richer in species than either”

Tracing the contrasts between Swedish and Icelandic cultural and material traditions.

Approaching plaster moulds with the idea of capturing wooden qualities in concrete — resulting in a modular building set.

Exploring spaces throughout Reykjavik and the city’s relationship with nature, concrete and nordic culture.

Plaster and silicone moulds of wood carved logs, made in concrete to connect the two cultures through their respective material preferences and shared nordic history.

Technical drawing of the primary mould for the sculpture, made in Autodesk Fusion360.

A whispering game with AI as co-creator, where each step changes the shape based on its limitations. Using a range of machines and techniques to materialize an idea.

Scanned and 3D-printed duck sculpture.

One AI interpreted the 3D-print as:

“a white sculpture of a bird, a surrealist sculpture by Emanuel Büchel”, resulting in generating this image.

Clay sculpture with interpreted shape of the backside, scanned with photogrammetry. 

The 3D-model was then imagined as a stool to sit on the bird’s back. 

Five CNC-milled pieces of birch in varying sizes were then glued together.

Anodized mirrors made in stainless steel.

What do we see in ourselves when we don’t recognize the person looking back? 

Material research through oven heating, MIG welding, polishing, and anodizing by gas welding.

Wood carving and metal casting for silver rings with wooden textures, using the forest as inspiration.

Explorative woodcarving in different types of wood.

Hand-carved wooden rings in oak and rowan.

Testing
ring-making through sand casting in aluminium.

Prototypes of wooden objects, aluminium and polished silver rings.

Speculative project utilizing the harbor area in Gothenburg to lead excess rainwater in the canal.

The areas surrounding Göta Älv face a high risk of flooding, either from increased rainfall and rising sea levels. Imagined to be located somewhere within the planned Älvstaden near Lindholmen and Frihamnen, the park is designed to help the area cope with future floods, while also offering a place for activity, regardless of the weather.

Water is guided back to the river through gently sloping grass patches and ground-level channels. The stairs direct runoff from higher ground, while the grass patches absorb what the plants and trees need, letting any excess flow into the channels. The bridges serve not only as an aesthetic feature but also as a practical path to use when rainfall has been heavy.

Created using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator och After Effects, 2021. Heavily inspired by the works of Erik Winkowski who often plays with collages and hand drawn images meeting in whimsical videos.