Although laser cutting was invented for industrial manufacturing applications, it is commonly used by schools, businesses, hobbyists, and artists. We have seen some incredible laser cutting works on wood, plastic, paper, and even synthetic rubber. Let’s enjoy it together~
Symbolic Peace
The symbol of peace is a laser-cut cold-rolled steel sculpture designed by artist Mathew Rosenblatt. Rosenblatt is the executive producer of the festival, and it was recently unveiled at the Toronto Light Festival. Rosenblatt said that the work was inspired by the diversity of his community and that peace is not divided by culture or religion.
Intersections
The intersection was designed by Anila Quayyum Agha, who won the public and judges’ grand prize in the ArtPrize competition in Michigan in 2009. The work is based on geometric patterns used in Islamic sacred spaces, specifically the Alhambra fortress in Granada, Spain.
Inspired by the fortress, Agha says: “It is at the intersection of history, culture and art, a place where Islamic and Western discourses meet, merge and coexist, and testify to the symbiosis of difference.”
The work itself is a 6.5-square-foot laser-cut black-painted wood cube that hangs from the ceiling and is illuminated by a single bulb to cast a geometric shadow in the otherwise empty room.
Braindrop
This massive installation by Kate Raudenbush is a meditative space created in honor of the element of water. Standing 17 feet tall and weighing 2,267 kilograms, it is made of laser-cut steel. LED lights illuminate the water droplets, making this massive installation even more beautiful at night. When looking up at the vortex, the lights create a stunning kaleidoscopic effect.
Autophagocytosis
California artist Gabriel Schama is known for his intricate wood relief sculptures. Using his trusty laser cutter, dubbed Elsie, Schama can process multiple layers of thin plywood to create 3D designs ranging from geometric shapes to human figures. One of his standout pieces is Autophagy (above), which is made up of 13 layers of birch plywood.
Either/Or Newmarch
Similar to Schama, Virginia-based senior artist Eric Standley creates multi-layered laser-cut sculptures, but instead of plywood, he uses paper. Standley spends months drawing and planning each piece to perfect the depth, dimension, and detail. The laser-cutting process of more than 100 sheets of paper can take up to 30 hours to complete. The end result is utterly stunning, with each piece reminiscent of a stained glass window.
