{"id":23158,"date":"2015-12-18T20:46:51","date_gmt":"2015-12-19T01:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=23158"},"modified":"2017-05-01T13:21:33","modified_gmt":"2017-05-01T17:21:33","slug":"behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Product with Corinne Whitaker"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today we are showcasing, Corinne Whitaker, a pioneer in the digital arts. Whitaker got her start in the digital arts in the early 80\u2019s processing irrational equations through various programs to see what forms would appear. After more than 3 decades, her work has grown to include massive 3D printed sculptures, catalogs of digital designs, and paintings. Whitaker has exhibited her work at galleries and museums around the world.<\/p>\n

\"corinnewhitaker\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Could you tell us a little about yourself?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I am based in Foster City, CA., in the heart of Silicon Valley, at the
\nepicenter of the \u201cCan Do\u201d ethos, surrounded by innovation and optimism. I
\nstarted working\/playing with computers in 1981, when I became fascinated
\nwith the patterns and colors they offered, realizing that they could see
\nmillions more colors than the human eye. I was also intrigued by the idea
\nthat I was entering unknown territory, where few had ventured before me.
\nThere were lots of questions, few answers, and no rules (my kind of
\nplace). That\u2019s why my recent solo show at the Peninsula Museum of Art in
\nBurlingame, CA was titled \u201cNoRules\u201d! This meant that I didn\u2019t have the
\nghosts of Ansel Adams on one shoulder and of Picasso on the other. It was
\nboth exhilarating and scary.<\/p>\n

\"gr_blackpearl\"<\/p>\n

Where does your experience in 3D modeling originate?<\/em><\/p>\n

Initially there were almost no art programs, let alone 3D, so I began by
\nentering irrational equations into science programs to see what would
\nhappen. I love accidents, and I still work that way. At the start, desktop
\ncomputers had neither parallel processing nor multi-tasking, so creating
\nin 3D was more than challenging. (ie, 48 hours of down time, ending in a
\nfrozen screen and no image!). Eventually I worked with a Canadian company
\n(Alias Sketch) whose software offered organic possibilities combined with
\nexcellent customer support; unfortunately they were bought out and
\ndiscontinued.<\/p>\n

\"gr_alienincoming2\"<\/p>\n

What is your preference in modeling software and why?<\/em><\/p>\n

Computers at that time were essentially edge-based and geometric, whereas
\nI have always been drawn to the organic. This continues to influence my
\nchoice of programs today.<\/p>\n

\"gr_wynkenred\"<\/p>\n

What are your designs inspired by? Could you please share the story behind your sculptures?<\/em><\/p>\n

My designs are influenced by my conviction that\u00a0the human species is due to expire, either by self-destruction, exhaustion\u00a0of natural resources, or cosmic intervention (are we the dinosaurs, after\u00a0all?) so I create as though I were out in the cosmos somewhere, free of\u00a0gravity, and speculating on what the next creatures might look like.I am\u00a0also convinced that a new visual language is necessary to reflect the\u00a0change in viewpoint that NASA gave to us with its explorations in space.\u00a0Basically they freed us from Renaissance perspective and introduced a\u00a0cosmically-based view of living matter. The next group of creatures will\u00a0almost certainly be based on something other than carbon: what happens if\u00a0they view us with dismay, if they do not want to acknowledge us as their\u00a0forebears, if they cannot even figure out what humans were used for? Being\u00a0unseen in history is a terrifying thought (although one familiar to women\u00a0artists, but that’s another story).<\/p>\n

\"gr_blynken\"<\/p>\n

What was your first interaction with 3D printing & Shapeways?<\/em><\/p>\n

Shapeways has played a large role in my success. It is a leader and
\nground-breaker in the industry, enabling me to experiment with life-sized
\n3D printed figures where other were afraid to try. Its professionalism is
\nadmirable and its customer service a joy. 3D printing allows me to bring
\nto life the swirl of designs that populate my visual realm. As an industry
\nit will definitely revolutionize many fields of endeavor.<\/p>\n

\"gr_jive2\"\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\"gr_finian\"<\/p>\n

Could you describe your process for creating your sculptures?<\/em><\/p>\n

My thought process is one of letting go and traveling through ideas. It
\ninvolves the challenge of putting your ego aside and letting yourself go
\ncrazy to some degree. As artists we have the luxury of knowing that
\nalthough we share the wild territory of the insane, we have a round-trip
\nticket back to what is commonly called sanity. I like to say that we are
\nwilling to touch the thorn barehanded in order to know the rose.<\/p>\n

\"gr_blackswans\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\"gr_dervishgold\"<\/p>\n

At the moment, the biggest difficulty in creating 3D printed sculpture
\nremains the software. It presents a steep uphill learning curve.
\nFamiliarity with standard 2D software does not translate easily into 3D,
\nand each 3D program tends to have its own vocabulary. Eventually we will
\ndo away with the software entirely.<\/p>\n

But if you love challenge, if you love exploring the new and unfamiliar,
\nif you love experimenting and want to taste tomorrow, this is the place to
\nbe!<\/p>\n

\"gr_3Dblobs\"<\/p>\n

For more with Whitaker:<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can find all of Whitaker’s work on her website,\u00a0www.giraffe.com<\/p>\n

To learn more about her history, en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Corinne_Whitaker<\/p>\n

Current Exhibitions:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

On view at Vargas Gallery, Mission College 3000 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054 December 1st – December 19th<\/p>\n

“Virtually Solid: Digital Fabrication as Sculpture” at\u00a0Wilson Center of the Arts, Florida State College\u00a011901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL January 2016<\/p>\n

On view at Paul Mahder Gallery <\/span>222 Healdsburg Avenue\u00a0Healdsburg, CA 95448 (http:\/\/www.paulmahdergallery.com\/artists\/whitaker\/corinne_whitaker.htm<\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Publications:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Four catalogs\u00a0of CAD models and poetry, all titled “If We Are Erased”<\/p>\n

www.amazon.com\/s\/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=corinne+whitaker \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 www.giraffe.com\/gr_catalogs.html<\/em><\/p>\n

“It’s like\u00a0putting a microscope inside my brain to illuminate the origins of my new\u00a0species.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today we are showcasing, Corinne Whitaker, a pioneer in the digital arts. Whitaker got her start in the digital arts…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":23215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[510],"tags":[480],"class_list":["post-23158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-3d-printing-industry","tag-4-art"],"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker-625x352.jpg","yoast_head":"\nBehind the Product with Corinne Whitaker - Shapeways Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Today we are showcasing, Corinne Whitaker, a pioneer in the digital arts. Whitaker got her start in the digital arts in the early 80\u2019s processing\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Virginia Gordon\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Virginia Gordon\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/person\/27d9bfdd23d204483d7646c16e75e3f5\"},\"headline\":\"Behind the Product with Corinne Whitaker\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-12-19T01:46:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-05-01T17:21:33+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker\"},\"wordCount\":918,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Art\"],\"articleSection\":[\"3D Printing Industry\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker\",\"name\":\"Behind the Product with Corinne Whitaker - Shapeways Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-12-19T01:46:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-05-01T17:21:33+00:00\",\"description\":\"Today we are showcasing, Corinne Whitaker, a pioneer in the digital arts. Whitaker got her start in the digital arts in the early 80\u2019s processing\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker.jpg\",\"width\":1396,\"height\":787},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Behind the Product with Corinne Whitaker\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/\",\"name\":\"Shapeways Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Shapeways Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/shapeways-blog.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/shapeways-blog.png\",\"width\":943,\"height\":121,\"caption\":\"Shapeways Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/facebook.com\/shapeways\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/shapeways\",\"http:\/\/instagram.com\/shapeways\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/person\/27d9bfdd23d204483d7646c16e75e3f5\",\"name\":\"Virginia Gordon\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8ab993c38146b5a39252a69e231fdcdcc06f5163147ebc9339965dde1a8da483?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8ab993c38146b5a39252a69e231fdcdcc06f5163147ebc9339965dde1a8da483?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Virginia Gordon\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/author\/virginia\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Behind the Product with Corinne Whitaker - Shapeways Blog","description":"Today we are showcasing, Corinne Whitaker, a pioneer in the digital arts. Whitaker got her start in the digital arts in the early 80\u2019s processing","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Virginia Gordon","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker"},"author":{"name":"Virginia Gordon","@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/person\/27d9bfdd23d204483d7646c16e75e3f5"},"headline":"Behind the Product with Corinne Whitaker","datePublished":"2015-12-19T01:46:51+00:00","dateModified":"2017-05-01T17:21:33+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker"},"wordCount":918,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker.jpg","keywords":["Art"],"articleSection":["3D Printing Industry"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker","url":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker","name":"Behind the Product with Corinne Whitaker - Shapeways Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker.jpg","datePublished":"2015-12-19T01:46:51+00:00","dateModified":"2017-05-01T17:21:33+00:00","description":"Today we are showcasing, Corinne Whitaker, a pioneer in the digital arts. Whitaker got her start in the digital arts in the early 80\u2019s processing","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/corinnewhitaker.jpg","width":1396,"height":787},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/behind-the-product-with-corinne-whitaker#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Behind the Product with Corinne Whitaker"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/","name":"Shapeways Blog","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#organization","name":"Shapeways Blog","url":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/shapeways-blog.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/shapeways-blog.png","width":943,"height":121,"caption":"Shapeways Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/facebook.com\/shapeways","https:\/\/x.com\/shapeways","http:\/\/instagram.com\/shapeways"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/person\/27d9bfdd23d204483d7646c16e75e3f5","name":"Virginia Gordon","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/prodshapeblog.wpenginepowered.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8ab993c38146b5a39252a69e231fdcdcc06f5163147ebc9339965dde1a8da483?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8ab993c38146b5a39252a69e231fdcdcc06f5163147ebc9339965dde1a8da483?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Virginia Gordon"},"url":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/author\/virginia"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}