The aim of the 3D Printing the Future exhibition was to develop an understanding of how three-dimensional printing technology is used and how it is driving innovation across fields in Romania. While presenting an unique opportunity where art and science collided, we involved different initiatives from Universities, Maker Spaces, FabLabs, Museums, Research Centres, Companies and a large passionate community.

Together we developed interdisciplinary projects within the targeted cities – Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Brașov – to explore new ways to apply this technology creatively.

Building upon the collaboration between Scientifica and Science Museum Group, in particular Science Museum of London, the first stage of the project provided an in-depth research and mapping of the local market, a research meant to identify and promote local initiatives that use the 3d printing technology. In our research process we identified 11 areas for application of the 3d printing technology in Romania and started the collaboration with over 35 partners in order to create a representative image of how 3d printing is being used nationally.

In collaboration with Science Museum of London we have successfully reproduced main 3d printed works from the NASA Research Centre and from main medical research centres in USA.

In collaboration with Romanian Design Week, as part of their main venue and event week, Scientifica presented a capsule exhibition, an important series of 3D printed objects, accompanied by images and text. Some of the exhibits were tactile, giving the visitor the opportunity to explore and better understand how 3D technology is used in the medical sector, the manufacturing and the creative industries. 

Our partners from We Mesh Up provided insights into how a 3D printer works and, together with the public, created over 15 new designs on site.

3D Printing the Future exhibition at Romanian Design Week – a collection of exhibitions organised by the Institute.ro presenting some of the most important recent Romanian design pieces  – attracted over 800 visitors in the days of the event.

Following the growing success of this collaboration, Cluj Cultural Center together with the European Commission’s STARTTS prize, Gluon and Speedwell joined the making of the exhibition. This newly formed partnership allowed for new international work to be presented to the public, including a selection of works of the 2016 STARTS prize nominees and other works of artists that exemplify the link of the Arts with the digital and the 3d printing technology.

The main themes of the 3D Printing the Future exhibition were: Print it, Perfect it, Heal it and Try it, each being accompanied by audio / video documentation and interviews with specialists in the field of three-dimensional printing. The exhibition was hands-on, most of the exhibits being touched and studied by visitors.

The 3D Printing the Future exhibition was featured as a key point visit during the Cluj Open Innovation Days Conference. We’ve organised guided visits and 2 introductory workshops in 3D Printing, both for schoolchildren and grownups.

With the support of the Municipality of Brașov, this project represented an in-depth research and mapping of the city’s local 3d printing initiatives. The exhibition in Brasov opened new perspectives on 3D printing applications, from architecture to fashion design, animation, educational tools for children to medical design and print.

As part of the 3D Printing the Future exhibition in Brașov we had the opportunity to organise a challenge for 3d printed objects for the visually impaired. With this occasion an interdisciplinary team developed the 3d printed map of Brasov with dedicated signs and models of key touristic points. 

This application marked the beginning of a larger dedicated project, that uses 3d printing to help the visually impaired. 

We also organised guided tours  for schoolchildren from The School for Visually Impaired and 2 workshops for young and old audiences: Introduction in 3D Printing Technologies and 3D Printing Design.