Ceramic Dodecahedron

Dodecahedrons

My dodecahedron projects were created as part of an independent study for art credit at WPI. More details on the project can be found here.

Playing with Clay

The clay dodecahedrons were a collaboration with the Worcester Center for Crafts, who were willing to sponsor the project with studio access. The clay dodecahedrons were formed using two different slab-forming techniques, but all use the same bag of white clay.

Preparations

Both dodecahedrons began as a slab of clay formed using a slab roller to create a uniform thickness. A paper template was used to trace out the pentagon geometry, and the edges were then formed to an approximately 60 degree angle. The proper joining angle is 68 degrees, however I lacked precise enough tools to get that close and decided the effect would be negligible anyways. In order to join the sides together easily, a half-dodecahedron fixture was 3D printed for the panels to fit in while being slipped together.

A slab of clay on the slab roller before being flattened to the final thickness

Forming Strategies

The first method for assembling the dodecahedron was to simply cut out the panels from the wet slab and immediately assemble them in the fixture. This method proved to be fairly straightforward with few complications. In order to reinforce the seams, additional clay was added to the inside and outside of the dodecahedron. The second method was to let the panels dry individually for a few days and then assemble them after they became stiffer. This method was more difficult to assemble as it was less forgiving than the wet slab, and the hard-slab assembly cracked after drying for a few days.

Hard Slab After Drying

Note the cracks on each seam where I added wet clay and slip to join the sides together. These buffed out and the final project was still viable.

Wet Slab After Drying

No cracks, and much cleaner geometry was attained with no extra cleanup.

Tools & materials

580 Standard Ceramics Clay
Artillery Sidewinder X1 3D printer
PLA filament
Black and white cone-10 glazes
Cura

Collaborators & other media

Worcester Center for Crafts
Joshua Rosenstock (WPI advisor)
Dodehedron Project Site

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