Can They be Found?

Around our campus, you’ll find small items tucked in and around trees, bushes, and old stumps.

Most are easy to find along the paved pathways we use every day. A few will take some walking. Whoever finds the most, will receive an SJCC Oscar award suitable for most poorly-made desks, a goody bag from Robin Thorpe, and a substantial gift card from Fred Meyer.

Did you put those plastic birds in the tree? I was recently asked that by a student. The bigger question is why are they there? Why are small plastic people, animals, and structures popping up around the campus? Well, it was Flint’s idea. He was an art student. His friend, Scott, who would hand necklaces off of trees. On those necklaces might be a photo of someone’s grandmother or small toys like they used to put in Crackerjack boxes. His instructor at the time said it was pretentious. I think it is quite clever.

Seeing things out in the wild can bring a smile. Creating 3D prints has been a way for me to do that. The prints that I make are from STL files, that go from computer software called a “slicer” to the printer. I am using a Dremel 3D printer that plots out the image in an X, Y, and Z-axis from the bottom up. Layer after layer is built up over time, and it was memorizing to watch it prints. They’re made of PLA (polylactic acid) which is a fancy way to say corn. Yes, this bioplastic stuff called “filament” is made from corn starch and is biodegradable. It’s about the width of pencil lead and is wrapped around a spool. A heated nozzle melts PLA which comes in a zillion colors. I spray a little lacquer over them if I paint so they won’t run like mascara on a sad day. The weather, mostly heat, will eventually wear them away.

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