Workshop // Identity Totem

This 3d workshop that was hosted at Trixie and @artscooldenhaag in collaboration with @futureinstituteofart at the end of June 2023. Led by Trixie member Beng Yuenyong and visual artist Lilian Kreutzberger.

The assignment over several lessons was to sculpt 3d models of a totem with symbols that are important for the students using software like Nomasculpt and Blender. In a second stage the models would then be 3d printed.
Classic Totem carvings were usually used to symbolise or commemorate ancestors, cultural beliefs, clan descendants or telling about well-known legends or notable events.
The poles can also serve as functional architectural features, welcome signs for village visitors, mortuary vessels for the remains of deceased ancestors, or as a means of public ridicule.

Through examples and research the participants made mood boards as a starting point for their final designs. Students brainstormed objects they feel strongly about — items of value, symbolic objects or stories — and translate them into identity totems. The outcome represents the interests as well as personal and cultural identity of the students.

These designs were presented at the end of the workshop as 3D printed objects.

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Photo Credits: @bilenbilen
Supported by: Het Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds
3D printers provided thanks to the support of the Het Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Zuid-Holland