Projection Mapping for Mathscaper

Projection Mapping
for MathScaper

9iFX teamed up with Seattle based sculpting collective, Mathscaper to craft these mind altering projection mapped art pieces.

Math = Art! Mathscaper’s mission is to express the beauty of mathematics and science through art, for all. 9iFX was honored to team up with this dynamic crew to add a bit of light and motion to their already stunning sculptures. Using the 3D models provided to us by Mathscaper, we crafted a visual journey for 2 different sculptures – The Needle of the Mandelbrot, and Dream13.

CONCEPT

This collaboration sparked at a bachelor party, where Mathscaper’s Rob Leonard and 9iFX’s Michael Miller discovered their shared vision. Mathscaper sculpts math into tangible form, while 9iFX paints it in digital light. Together, they’ve created a mesmerizing fusion—where numbers breathe, equations glow, and mathematics unfolds in stunning visual poetry.

PROCESS

Guided by Mathscaper’s 3D models, the 9iFX team charted constellations within the sculpture—anchoring light to form. With extrusion and fluid animation, we breathed motion into the design, making it rise, ripple, and break free from the surface. Patterns bloomed and unraveled, weaving a hypnotic dance, while waves of light, color, and texture washed over the piece—at times revealing, at times erasing, as if reality itself flickered between dimensions.

CONCLUSION

To date, our collaboration has brought two of Mathscaper’s masterpieces to life in festivals, museums, galleries, and beyond. The Needle of the Mandelbrot, a nine-panel marvel, has traveled to the playa, its core illuminated by a 15-minute 9iFX visual odyssey. Dream13, a three-panel fractal set, has graced galleries, museums and festivals, where projection-mapped light weaves seamlessly into its infinite geometry, unfolding a hypnotic journey through form and dimension.

3D Projection Mapping

We used a CG model of each physical sculpture as a starting point and animated on top using lights and deformers. Having the sculpture in house gave us the ability to adjust the animations “live” directly on the artwork.

Festivals

The Needle, the second massive sculpture we created projection mapping for made its rounds at various festivals around the country, including Burning Man and The Oregon Country Fair.

Museums

Dream13, a stunning 3 panel architectural scale sculptural relief toured around the local galleries to great success. It eventually landed in Montana at the Holter Museum of Art.

Galleries

While Dream13 was at the Holter Museum of Art it caught the eyes of a local collector. They claimed the installation and once the Mathscaper exhibit at the museum came to a close Dream13 moved it’s new home at Seattle’s Sparklebarn.