Written on the body
a tribute to the surface

Unfold originally took its name from a fascination for computational design methods and the surface of the human body. This led to a series of design projects called ‘tribute to surface’ in which a computer program designed to unfold simple forms was used on complex 3D models, such as a 3D scan of the human body. The generated complex patterns initiated a research into new production methods.

Unfold originally took its name from a fascination for computational design methods and the surface of the human body. This led to a series of design projects called ‘tribute to surface’ in which a computer program designed to unfold simple forms was used on complex 3D models, such as a 3D scan of the human body. The generated complex patterns initiated a research into new production methods.

Unfolding a digital full-body 3D scan into a two-dimensional pattern which after cutting by means of computer controlled processes, is reconstructed into a series of personal jewels in various materials: silver (arm), porcelain (neck) and leather (belly). The resulting objects are low polygon copies of the body, giving them a nearly perfectly fitting form, truly made for the wearer. (The dutch translation of written on the body -op het lijf geschreven- means a perfect fit)

Written on the body, a tribute to surface was the first collaboration between Claire Warnier and Dries Verbruggen, co-founders of Unfold. While the name Unfold carries new meaning today, it still clearly refers to their first collaborative experimentation with new production methods and the exploration of the intersection between digital and analog.

The project was nominated for the René Smeets Prize by the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2002.

Full body scans produced with the support of TNO, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research.

fig. 1, 2: photography by Sabine Pigalle