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Otherworldy Orbs

Sodium Stalagmite Sculptures by Daniel MacDonald

— July 10, 2012 — Art & Design
Originally a software designer, Daniel MacDonald has ventured into the world of art with a collection of sodium stalagmite sculptures called Shio. Shio (the Japanese word for salt) was inspired by MacDonald's childhood trips to Yellowstone park.

The sodium stalagmite sculptures take about a week to make. MacDonald runs salt water over the skeleton of each sculpture, which is made of fabric and translucent plastic, until the sodium stalagmites form. The orbs are brought to life by colored LED lights that light each piece from the inside.

MacDonald explains that "Shio is fundamentally about optimism and enthusiasm for the unknown and unexplored, and that is what I want to bring to people's lives."

Shio was funded by a kickstarter campaign, and MacDonald aspires to create giant tentacle chandeliers and 8-foot spiny gourd-like sculptures in the his future works.
Trend Themes
1. Sodium Stalagmite Sculptures - Using sodium stalagmites as a sculptural medium opens up new artistic possibilities.
2. LED Lighting in Art - Incorporating LED lights into sculptures creates visually stunning and dynamic art pieces.
3. Crowdfunding for Art Projects - Using platforms like Kickstarter to fund art projects empowers artists to bring their creations to life.
Industry Implications
1. Art - The art industry can explore and embrace the use of unconventional materials and lighting techniques to create innovative and unique artworks.
2. Design - Design professionals can take inspiration from sodium stalagmite sculptures and incorporate unconventional materials and lighting elements into their product designs.
3. Crowdfunding - The crowdfunding industry can cater specifically to artists and provide platforms and resources for funding their creative projects.
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