Gilbert Riedelbauch believes that new technologies do open new doors, but the room behind these doors might be rather small. In his talk, he explores the advantages and threats… and focuses on what it is that makes him continue engaging with them, the effects they have on a contemporary craft practice and the struggle to distil relevant issues into meaningful education of practitioners.

Swiss-born German, Gilbert Riedelbauch, has been based in Canberra since 1992. He identifies himself as a craftsman and silversmith, and works with computer-aided design (CAD) and rapid prototyping technologies to extend the scope of his work. The objects Riedelbauch makes are not necessarily destined for production.

He uses manufacturing technologies at the Australian National University School of Art, where he teaches, to make elements that cannot be made in other ways. He designs objects as potential prototypes for the lost-wax casting process, and adds handmade attachments. He likes the interaction between traditional silversmithing techniques and rapid prototyping. To him, the virtual 3D space of the CAD program feels like an extension to his workshop and informs all aspects of his creative processes.






TAGS
+ Riedelbauch
+ Design
+ Craft
+ Silver
+ Silversmith
+ Smart works
+ Canberra
+ Process
+ Prototype
+ CAD
+ Computer aided design