“The Embrace”: How 3D printing combines art and technology in the heart of Boston

The Embrace sculpture in Boston Commons, created by Hank Willis Thomas, is a masterpiece of modern art and engineering. Inspired by an iconic embrace between Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, this sculpture stands as a symbol of love, justice and human compassion. The realization of this artwork was a challenging undertaking that required innovative manufacturing processes.

A competition held by Embrace Boston resulted in the concept for the monument, which was characterized by its unique representation and profound message. The realization of the 6 meter high and almost 8 meter wide bronze statue required the collaboration of various experts. Traditionally, such a project would have been realized using a complex investment casting process, in which a model is first made from clay and later from wax. A process that would have proved to be time-consuming and complicated.

By using 3D printing of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), it was possible to achieve precise and rapid production of the individual parts of the sculpture. This process began with the digital design of the artwork, which made it possible to make changes quickly and flexibly. The foundry in Walla Walla eventually took on the task of turning the digital designs into physical parts. By breaking the sculpture down into 608 individual parts, each component could be efficiently printed and then assembled into a whole.

The use of binder-jet technology allowed for high precision and attention to detail during production. Each layer of PMMA powder was carefully applied and selectively cured until the complex shapes of the sculpture were created. After printing, the PMMA models were treated in a similar way to traditional wax models to create the bronze casting molds. The result is an impressive statue that not only impresses with its aesthetic beauty, but also with its innovative manufacturing process.

“The Embrace” thus serves not only as a lasting monument to the Kings’ legacy, but also as a testament to the possibilities that modern manufacturing techniques open up for the art world. It shows how 3D printing can revolutionize traditional manufacturing processes and allow artists to realize their visionary projects without the limitations of conventional techniques. With a total weight of 19 tons and a production time of two years, “The Embrace” now stands as a sign of progress and hope in the Boston Commons.