Published: 08/14/2023 - Author(s): Rihn - Tag(s):
Exploring different makerspaces at MIT through the making of fire performance props.
Our Motivation
As firespinners, we often wonder what’s possible in the field of fire manipulation and performance art. This entracing art form looked like magic the first time we saw it and felt like magic the first time we did it*. But behind it is a good deal of science - such as creating, maintaining, and extinguishing fire. Or, the properties of different materials and how they interact with fire, heat, and each other.
As designers and engineeers, we want to experiment with and create novel prop configurations that build upon and/or deviate from those we have seen. We want to learn from others and through each of our iterations to build our own working, safe props that perform well.
As students at MIT, we also wanted to explore more of the maker-y communities around us. We believe the best way to learn new skills is to have a project to apply them to! This project, funded by the Council for the Arts, helped us engage with a good chunk of makerspaces on campus.
Check out the results here!
* Note: With practice, saftey training, and the supervison of experienced people.
Makerspaces
A larger list can generally be found on Project Manus - https://project-manus.mit.edu/making-at-mit/our-system
- We actually didn’t go to the major Project Manus spaces (Metropolis or the Deep) as much. Take this as a lesser travelled guide to makerspaces!
Edgerton (4-409)
- https://edgerton.mit.edu/for-MIT-students/student-shops/student-project-lab-4-409
- One of few 24/7 spaces (to the common space), great for working in group
- Diane and Justin are sweetest folks, just keep things clean and neat!!!
- Also avoid stashing cruft in the space, they’ll know
DLab
- https://d-lab.mit.edu/academics/d-lab-workshop
- The shop manager, Jack, runs a tight ship. But is very reasonable. I’ve even heard alums say great things about him.
- Also 24/7 (though you must have a fellow friend with you when working on certain machines)
MorningsideAcademyofDesign
- https://design.mit.edu
- I took some classes here back when it was called the “IDC”
- One as a frosh right as COVID hit -.- and we were all kicked off campus
- One after returning when MIT was in a semi open state
- One as a senior capstone
- I also hung out a bunch and the MAD was integral in my own installation of a hanging chain loft in my dorm.
- They’re in a weird position at the time of writing, as they await the reconstruction of the MET building, where they’ll be moved to.
- Chris and Bill at kind and knowledgeable, though often (figuratively) putting out fires and (literally) keeping their army of prusas alive
EdgertonShop
- https://edgerton.mit.edu/for-MIT-students/student-shops/edgerton-6c-student-shop
- This one was very new at the time of writing, scheduled trainings weren’t yet advertised on their website.
- Mark, the shop manager is super knowledgeable. We got to see his machinist expertise in action as he showed us how he idenities aluminum grades. A bit grumpy in the nicest way possible. :D
MakerWorkshop
- https://makerworkshop.mit.edu
- Apparently this one used to be mainly geared towards MechE’s. They do hold pretty fun maker events throughout the year.
- Initially had best prices for material; but they’ve been having trouble sourcing lately… and I havent’ been able to purchase anything through them.
VoxelLab
- https://voxel.mit.edu
- Ideal for sound or textile work, DAAMIT also lives here (drawing and animation, they do have cintiqs)
- Quiet working space
RadioSocietyShack
- Also 24/7 if you are or know someone part of the RadSoc club :)
- They have a drill press and some neat tools. Also a lot of neat folks and proximity to the Spinning Arts Office.
ProtoWorkshop
- https://entrepreneurship.mit.edu/protoworkshop/
- Small thermoformer, meant for dental use, but likely used for plastic packaging of products (as the space is in the entrepreneurship center)
CentralMachineShop (makerspace adjacent)
- https://web.mit.edu/cmshop/
- Not really a makerspace, but most affordable source of material if they have it (they don’t keep stock, but as a machine shop for MIT labs, they may have leftover stock from their own projects, helps you avoid the often insane cost of transportation of stock for a single maker project)
- Learned about it from my 2.009 team, we got a lot of stock from there
