The Luckiest Place on Earth
Wouldn’t it be great if you could 3D print your own luck? Well Renishaw has done the next best thing and printed the world’s first recycling point for luck and wishes.
The UK based engineering company created the piece entitled, The Luckiest Place on Earth, in collaboration with Strange Cargo, a Folkestone based visual and public arts company as part of the Folkestone Triennial arts festival.
The installation was produced in titanium using an AM250 additive manufacturing machine which provides accurate builds from a single point, allowing the detailed and intricately designed piece to be printed as a distinct piece.
The piece incorporates a variety of traditional symbols of luck including wish bones, horse shoes, clovers, shooting stars and black cats, into the design.
"We're incredibly pleased with how accurately our additive manufacturing machine has been able to reproduce Strange Cargo's unusual and alluring design for the luck and wish recycling point," enthused Chris Pockett, head of communications at Renishaw. "The piece is yet another example of the potential of 3D printing when it comes to design freedom. 3D printing is no longer just a prototyping method; it’s a practical solution for producing highly complex one-off builds."
The idea is that visitors will make a wish and leave a penny at The Luckiest Place on Earth and then remove someone else’s penny as a memento. The piece is accompanied by four sculptures of Folkestone residents that were chosen from 700 applicants and then reproduced as 3D printed figures, transforming the area into a lucky gateway.
The Folkestone Triennial runs until November 2nd.
