The gift I brought was the book “Seven Brief Lessons On Physics” by Carlo Rovelli. It’s almost more a sentimental object than a book to me because I read it so infrequently and have it next to my bed more to glance at as an option for which imagined world I want to explore before or after sleeping. When I do read the book, I learn particularities of how our universe may have formed and continue existing, which I deeply enjoy. I have basically given up my childhood goal of becoming an astronaut. I’ve spent my time in higher education indulging in the humanities. This scientific book, written in rather plain English, helps me put on a wider lens through which to consider this world and this existence.
I re-engaged with my gift by opening it and reading a couple pages, with the intention set to focus on how it makes me feel to read this content. Cate’s response gift of a song dug into the aspect of perspective—that which astrophysics gifts us to juxtapose against or conjoin with the usual ones we inhabit in order to carry out our lives.
I chose to learn how to 3D print a model of my own making using Autodesk Fusion 360 and Ultimaker Cura. I wanted to take this opportunity to dive into something that seems technical and complex and sort of unapproachable, while the stakes feel low and the purpose is exploration, education, and self-development. I scanned the pages of the book thinking about how to create a physical object that nourished or spoke to the emotional experience of thinking about physics I have, this reaching for a context that expands my scope of vision and thought.
I found this (fragmented) passage:
“General relativity has taught us that space is not an inert box but rather something dynamic: a kind of immense, mobile snail shell in which we are contained—one that can be compressed and twisted. Quantum mechanics, on the other hand, has taught us that every field of this kind is ‘made of quanta’ and has a fine, granular structure.”
“Loop quantum gravity is an endeavor to combine general relativity and quantum mechanics.”
“Loops link together like a finely woven chain mail and “space is created by the linking of these individual quanta of gravity. Once again, the world seems to be less about objects than about interactive relationships.”
Rovelli (42-3)
I love chain mail as a woven textile, but I wasn’t about to 3D print chain mail (though maybe one day I’ll try), so I decided the snail shell would be a good place to start. After all, I remembered feeling enthralled when I understood what Rovelli was saying in the chapter about general relativity and the way gravity works—how it connects everything to everything else in the universe as if all on a multidimensional tela/cloth/sheet/material/textile (maybe I should have chosen thread as a medium) together. I thought to make the shell a small charm for the bracelet I’ve been wearing lately, so that I can have this “reminder” feeling as I go about my day, rather than only when I’m in bed seeing the book on my bedside cinder block (I’m that Bushwick * with a cinder block for a nightstand).
I was surprised that the modeling process took like four days. I followed a YouTube tutorial in Swedish by copying his actions visually. I thought I was being super meticulous but I encountered a problem.
Dora sat with me for two days troubleshooting the issue (the rails were not connecting to the lofts), and Phil and others gave their input. Thank you everyone for helping me so much fr.
Thought I was finally done night before it’s due, but the 3D printer kept telling me to change the material??
Went back and forth 3 times.
Finally, magic:
Peeled off the base with difficulty:
Thought to 3D print another one with a hole for the metal ring that would attach it to my bracelet, but Dora suggested drilling a hole. I liked the idea of getting my feet wet in another area of the floor through this project. No one was there to supervise so I had to wait until the next morning.
Kinda wanted to do it myself but I watched a good demo by Luke, thanks Luke.
Pim taught me how to use the soldering pen the night before. Lily (from ITP) suggested also using a stripped wire rather than trying to fuse the soldering metal to itself in a loop (it was melting hella).
Kinda cool legs on it, but didn’t wanna hurt my skin so snipped them.
Made jewelry charm! So femcute.
If I had more time I would try to make it smoother and get some cool multicolors going on: pinks and creams and sherbert oranges or maybe a black and blue and yellow situation.
Leave a Reply