Samsung / 2x4
Craftsmanship is a multifaceted kinetic installation that brings to life Samsung’s meticulous phone manufacturing process through physical choreography using software, hardware and robotics. It was part of the Samsung Olympic Showcase, a 3,000m² temporary brand pavilion at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea, and revealed the signature engineering processes of moving from raw materials to a finely-crafted, high-performance device.
Sculpting Metal reveals how a raw slab of metal is gradually carved out into the body of a phone. In a step by step progression, milling machines animate to perform an impression of the carving motion, as a light below dramatically illuminates a milled phone body in a different stage of transformation.
This section demonstrates the anodizing process of each phone body as it is dipped into precisely calibrated chemical baths to develop its vibrant color. This is represented as a waveform made up of phones in different stages of coloring rippling across the sculpture into a dry frosted bath.
Shaping glass represents a flat piece of glass’ transformation into Samsung’s signature curved glass as it is molded under very high temperatures. A KUKA robot arm performs an elegantly choreographed dance to move glass from a flat glass library into a digital kiln as it is carefully curved into shape.
Tellart evolved the initial concept, developed the design, iterated early prototypes, developed the custom technology, and collaborated with vendors on fabrication, and saw the project through installation and operation.
Tellart worked closely with the following partners:
Lead design of Samsung Showcase and original sculpture concept: 2×4
Drafting and fabrication of scenic components: Chicago Scenic
Co-prototyping and fabrication of the anodizing mechanism: Octo
Local day-to-day AV operator: Innovation System
Photography: Samsung