Masks & Robots is a project to bridge digital divides while creating more resilient communities in the face of COVID-19. It grew out of Julia Hansen and Leo McElroy's work at CIC's fab lab over the course of 2020 to set up distributed production networks for reusable face masks. CIC's fab lab systemized the production of mask kits which were distributed to a sewing network in partnership with the Boston Area Mask Initiative (BAMI). In a few months we produced over 5000 masks.
After receiving a grant from the Booz Allen Foundation, we expanded the program to train small textile businesses and craftsman in the Boston area so they could develop new skills and revenue streams while producing needed supplies for their communities. Unfortunately restructuring at CIC resulted in the relocation of the fab lab to an unsuitable venue for our training sessions. Fortunately Dassault's 3D Experience Lab graciously offered to host our kick-off session!
Three instructors from the Eliot School joined the program to learn how digital fabrication and specifically laser cutting could be introduced to their own practices and into their teaching of craft work.
Fabricademy instructor and Oye Ajewole generously participated in the trainings and helped orient our visitors to the lab.
Our first participant was Carol Price. Carol Price has been sewing since childhood, following the tradition set by her father, a tailor. She designs and sells her own line of women’s apparel, pillows, drapes, backpacks, handbags and dolls. Over the years, Carol has taught hundreds of people of all ages to sew at the Eliot School.
After Carol's session, Theona White and Michael Huxford joined us. I'll let them describe themselves and their experiences in their own words. Theona says:
"""
I work as a Milliner, Costume Designer, and Theatrical Crafts Artisan. The projects and work I do tend to be diverse, and can often be very intricate and time consuming. While I am a novice to laser cutting, the possibility of being able to access it opens a world of possibilities for me. Saving on cutting time alone can make more projects more attainable overall. Especially considering the clean lines that hand cutting cannot always replicate. In addition, I’m excited for the other capabilities laser cutting can provide beyond that. Before laser cutting, fabric would often be too expensive for me to use, and I would not be able to create engraved or other effects that are particular to laser cutting. I am hoping with this training, I can gain access to not only realize projects that I have been working toward for some time now, but to also be able to reach a level of execution I had not previously hoped to achieve. I am excited to continue training in it and see what I can create with this new skill.
"""
Michael describes his experience as:
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My knowledge of laser cutting was extremely limited, and I had not given much thought to its potential use for textile arts applications until I was given an introduction to the technology by Leo McElroy. The demonstration he provided was very illuminating, and the perks of the technology were immediately evident. The variability of the laser to both cut and engrave a material was particularly interesting to me. The speed at which prototypes could be fabricated, designs reworked, and then fabricated again was very surprising, and I could clearly see its advantages over traditional 2D and 2.5D fabrication techniques ... During the demonstration, Leo was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions concisely. He allowed us to explore the machine and the software, and afterward encouraged us to think of creative uses for the technology within fabric crafts. Since the demonstration, I have been very eager to get another chance to use the machines and experiment with their potential applications.
"""
I'm delighted to have been able to offer an enriching experience to our first cohort members and look forward to working with them to develop projects that integrate digital fabrication with their textile crafts. Our initial session was made possible due to 3D experience lab with special thanks owed to Oye Ajewole and Abhishek Bali.
With tremendous gratitude,
Leo McElroy
