Chevy Nova Bumper Matrix: Organic Complexity from Simplicity

The matrix assignment proved to be a useful vehicle to experiment with the transform functions in Rhino.  The object in the center left is the original.  It is the front of the bumper of the Chevy Nova.  Starting at it and moving to the right and downward represents one complete set of transformations.  The two rows at the top are individual studies.  The first analyzes the distortion of the original form through initially offsetting the geometry to a solid and then stretching and bending each resulting iteration of the form.

The second set builds upon the horizontal striations inherent in the bumper's geometry.  A vertical array is created with an uneven spacing and then sheared.  Several iterations of the taper command were then applied to extract the framework, resulting in an almost ribbon or cloth-like effect.

The final set, which includes the greatest amount of successive iterations, began as a simple one-dimensional scaling function.  Twist, extrude along a curve, edge extrusions, and duplication led to the final form.  At the end of the set the final object has been sectioned into three pieces, allowing for a perspective into the innerworkings of the model.  I found it interesting how each successive study progressed towards an organic form that, if you squint your eyes, could pass as a living organism.

All modeling was done in Rhino.

3ds Max & Photoshop were used for the renderings.