Michael Binkley sculpted the metal part of this piece in virtual space on his computer, using the 3D sculpting program ZBrush. He sent the digital file to be cast in steel and then had a glossy bronze patina added to its surface. He carved the base from carrara petacchi marble and left its surface matte for contrast against the steel.
Binkley’s passion is for the human form and sculpting in virtual space has given him the ability to be much more detail orientated. Although the hoop around the clinging the female nude is only 4″D, Michael has been able to sculpt the details of her face, hands, feet, hair and musculature in such a manner that could not be achieved economically in stone. The figure’s right foot and hand has webbing for the casting process. Since the piece was 3D printed, one can see the tiny layer lines in the figure’s body, but from a small distance, this detail is blurred from the viewer’s eye.
The hoop appears to be floating and the figure clings to its top, while balancing on tiptoe inside the bottom.