Kiacosa, 2019

Kiacosa was developed as part of my final University project. It took direct inspiration from polyhedral structures that I had been forming using paper and a slotting process. This led to the discovery of a tessellating mosaic form that was composed of just one repeating shape.

The material needed to create Kiacosa needed to be flexible yet solid, with just enough give to aid assembly, but not too much to lose overall rigidity. Card, more specifically mountboard was both the initial and final outcome material, it was easy to cut and form yet also very sustainable and ecologically friendly.

Further experimentation resulted in the application of a reflective copper paper, from which complex light patterns emerged. The overall mosaic surface conjures up similarities with precious stones or rich metals, both finite materials, unlike the card it is actually formed from.

The geometric mosaic for could be moved and manipulated in very organic ways, the automation of this structural property became a project aim. The resulting model (and gif.) as a final project outcome can be seen below.

Mountboard and Cardstock, Isosceles Mosaic