Danae Dasyra & Joe Bradford

Astronauts
Hydromorph
Hydromorph explores the interaction between metal and pressure through hydroforming. This technique is an industrial process in which a hydraulic fluid is used to form a sheet of metal.
The Astronauts focus on the hydroforming of hulls. Complex metal shells, made up of geometric threads in steel and mirror-polished stainless steel, are shaped using water. In this process-oriented project, the results are studies of what can happen when different sealed containers are subjected to extreme forces.
The unlimited expansions struggle against the qualities of the metal, creating folds reminiscent of rippling water and moving clouds. The effect is exacerbated by the optical aberrations caused by these reflective bodies, which distort the reproduced image of their surroundings. In the process, the different elements lock together as they swell, creating larger compositions without welding, gluing or other mechanical fixings.
The unexpected configurations of the pieces invite the viewer to imagine narratives about their origins and function, and challenge our perceptions of aesthetics or even of the objects themselves. Translucent powder paint and a bespoke mix of additives are used to finish the steel while revealing imperfections caused by heat. Light is refracted by the iridescent particles, accentuating the voluptuousness of the shapes.