Kaleidograins is a project into the projection of sand grain topologies on kaleidocycle geometries. Using micro-scale natural phenomena (found through nano-CT scanning) mapped onto kinetic kaleidocycle geometric forms. Irregular sand grain topologies (pitting, fractures, erosion patterns) are mapped onto transformable geometric systems. Kaleidocycles are rings of tetrahedra connected along a shared edge – forming a transformable geometry which can maintain its kinematic properties while bearing the surface complexity of the grains. As kaleidocycles cycle through a series of positions, their grain topology map transforms continuously. The projection of the grain topologies onto this geometric form must account for the geometric transformation at every point of rotation. Microscopic grain topologies are mapped onto large geometric forms and maintain surface complexity through the projection process. The main issue is how to keep the detail of the grains while conforming to the kaleidocycle geometry. Methods of projecting natural complexity onto kinetic geometric forms that are in motion are investigated. The research is in progress.
Photography: Phillip C. Reiner
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