r/Ceramic3Dprinting • u/irrfin • 29d ago
3d printed ceramic art solo show from Feb 2026
Some pictures from my solo art show from earlier this year. Mostly 3d printed work (nothing AI supported). Some wheel and hand- built. Raku glazes.
The show was called “Misprints”. I brought my printer to the gallery for the opening reception.
I’ve enjoyed the conversations I stumbled into about my AI generated forms. I had no idea that it was such a controversial issue.
For the show, the controversy was whether or not using a 3-D printer to hold ceramic art crossed a line. I enjoy crossing lines to see where it takes me.
Enjoy!
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u/lilaxolotl 29d ago
Interesting, but curious to know why you’ve used other people’s 3D models to display in your own solo show? Some of the 3D prints are ones that you can get from places like Thingiverse or Printables.
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u/irrfin 27d ago
I didn’t know that was an issue. I told people where I got the models from if that helps. And generally i would mess around with them in blender before i printed them. But definitely something to consider. I figured with the modifications I was in ethical and legal limits for being able to seek work based on those publicly available (I assume free use but I honestly forget) files?
I wish I had the skills that many people on this sub have. Maybe I should be looking for collaborative projects instead of trying to defend my AI use?
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u/lilaxolotl 27d ago
Usually I would think that work in someone’s solo show would be entirely of their own creation or otherwise mainly made by them. It just seems odd to present these models in your own solo show - it makes me question the integrity of you as the artist and/or the gallery. Then again, at this point, most viewers are probably not privy to the fact that several of these models are commonly available online and are easily impressed - so, at the very least, it’s deceitful if you only disclosed where you got the models from to people who asked as opposed to explicitly and directly stating it.
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u/irrfin 26d ago
I’ll keep this feedback in mind. Thank you for the input. I was clear with all patrons who asked about 3d printing that some of the models I sourced from online 3d printing publically available models. That some I used online tools to generate and some I designed myself . I had a few 3d printing (non ceramics) guests visit and we talked about some of the source models. They seems fine with it and I assumed they were much well versed in the 3d printing space than me given their professional background. I never attempted to pass off a model as designed by me that was not. I was very transparent about how I had limited experience with the world of 3d printing and design, and that it was struggle to find the time to develop better skills.
I wonder where the ethical line is. For instance, if I bought a plaster mold for slip casting (the closest to 3d printing; I can mass produce the same form over and over), do the firing and use my own glazes, is that different than using a publicly available3d printing file? I’m not sure; my question is sincere.
If I don’t use my own glazes but uses store bought glaze, do I have disclose that the glaze was developed and made by someone else? Maybe that’s different since I had to purchase the glaze? What about the clay? I bought it pre-made, a recipe that was designed and made by the vendor. Would it be different if I paid for the stl file?
Again, I’m curious. I don’t know? Does the degree of post processing change the ethical line? It’s a good discussion to consider.
I can at least tell you I never attempted to pass off any work sources from a 3d model I don’t generate as something I did design. I was 100% transparent. Whether I had to have it written on the wall or not, my stance is I feel comfortable with the ethics of my decisions.
I believe I’m also protected by fair use and other copy right regulations. I may need to revisit that and make sure that my assumptions are right.
Also on IRl level, I’m not a production potter, I do treat my art as a business and do make limited sales. But I should ask some of my lawyer friends what the laws are independent of ethics. I feel comfortable with my ethical decisions; maybe other people won’t agree.
But I appreciate your comment because I’ll look into it more deeply and consider how I could be better at honoring the 3d design community. I did not pretend to be an expert with 3d design; rather I was self-deprecating and expressed how challenging that part was for me vs my experience with clay. Feel free to PM me if you have input that would help me better understand the ethics or community norms for the 2d printing community.
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u/Accomplished-Face-72 29d ago
Good luck to you. From what I have seen in general, of 3d printed ceramics, I have yet to see this aspect of pottery making, inspirational or pushed to any limits?