Manu kuíni
Laser-cut sculpture
Research
Laser-cutting
Design
This sculpture is a three-dimensional hybrid of Māori and Mexican art styles. In past artworks, there's already experimentation with Māori and Mexican shape language. That's why, for this art piece, both art styles that originated in opposite sides of the world are combines to create an original sculpture. Obtaining real reference is a vital part of the creative process of this piece because it is the best way to establish believability and tell compelling stories. This design starts by doing in-depth research about Māori art through original pictures from New Zealand to, later on, make visits to Mexican folk-art museums and markets.
Māori art style reference
Mexican art style reference
After that, an analysis of the geometry and patterns that distinguish each art style takes place in order to define a consistent shape language. From there, draft sketches are made to combines both styles by referencing real cultures and traditions.
Shape language and draft pencil sketches
The final design shows on opposite horizontal sides the two national birds from Mexico and New Zealand, the golden eagle (in the left) and the kiwi bird (in right), while on opposite vertical sides, there are two representative plants from New Zealand and Mexico, the silver fern (in the top) and a type of cactus called "nopal" (in the bottom). The entire piece is covered by a combination of shapes and patterns that are representative of each culture. Later on, the design was digitalized and final details were added.
The design got separated into three separate layers, which were vectorized using to laser cut and engrave panels of silver and blue acrylic glass.