Istanbul Design Biennial: this project by Antwerp design studio Unfold explores how 3D-printed objects created from identical digital files can be as varied and unique as hand-made objects (+ movie + slideshow).

Above: objects produced by Unfold. Photograph by Kristof Vrancken

Called Stratigraphic Manufactury, the project involved designing a range of bowls and vases on a computer and sending the digital files to small-scale producers around the world, who then manufactured them in porcelain using open-source 3D printers.

Above: objects produced by Unfold

"We sent out seven of our designs," said Dries Verbruggen of Unfold. "They weren't allowed to touch the data but they could choose the materials and machines they used."

Above: objects produced by Eran Gal-Or

The resulting objects, which vary according to the type and consistency of porcelain used and the accuracy of the printer, are on show at the Adhocracy exhibition at the inaugural Istanbul Design Biennial.

Above: objects produced by Jonathan Keep

Verbruggen compared the flaws and idiosyncrasies of the digitally-generated objects to the "unique tool marks" left by a craftsman.

Above: object produced by Unfold

The producers who took part were Jonathan Keep from the UK, Eran Gal-Or from Israel, and Tulya Madra & Firat Aykaç and Mustafa Canyurt, both from Turkey. Unfold have also collaborated with local Turkish ceramists to operate a manufacturing unit and shop at the biennial.

Above: object produced by Eran Gal-Or

The project was commissioned by Joseph Grima, curator of the Adhocracy exhibition and editor of Domus magazine. In an interview with Dezeen about the show, Grima said that open-source technologies like 3D printing amount to a "cultural revolution".

Above: objects produced by Jonathan Keep

The biennal continues until 12th December.

Above: objects produced by Unfold. Photograph by Kristof Vrancken

Unfold was founded in 2002 by Design Academy Eindhoven graduates Claire Warnier and Dries Verbruggen.

Above: objects produced by Jonathan Keep

We previously featured a virtual potter's wheel designed by Unfold and we also filmed a movie in which Verbruggen explains how it works.

Above: 3D printer. Photograph by Kristof Vrancken

We've reported on a number of projects involving 3D printing recently, including 3D printed vessels distorted by computer algorithms and news that gun enthusiasts are 3D printing open source weapons.

See all our stories about 3D printing »
See all our stories about Unfold »
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Here's some more information from Unfold:

Unfold is pleased to announce its participation in the inaugural Istanbul Design Biennial. The Biennial opened on October 13 and will run till December 12. Joseph Grima, curator of the Adhocracy exhibition, invited Unfold to present Kiosk 2.0 and commissioned a new project featuring Unfold's continuing work on ceramic 3D printing and its implications on design and manufacturing: Stratigraphic Manufactury.

In Stratigraphic Manufactury, Unfold builds on its Stratigraphic Porcelain series started in 2010 with its internationally acclaimed installation l'Artisan Electronique and explores methods of manufacturing and distributing design in the dawning era of digital production. Stratigraphic Manufactury is a new model for the distribution and digital manufacturing of porcelain, which includes local small manufacturing units that are globally connected. One that embraces local production variations and influences.

A set of digital 3D files of designs presented last spring in Milan by Unfold has been e-mailed to various manufacturers around the world who have acquired the 3d printing production method that Unfold pioneered and open sourced in 2009. They were instructed not to alter the digital files but were free to incorporate personal and local influences and interpretations during the production.

These new sets will be presented in Adhocracy in the context of a local manufacturing shop. In collaboration with Turkish ceramists, a manufacturing unit will become operational for the duration of the Istanbul Design Biennial: Stratigraphic Manufactury Istanbul, estd. 2012.