MAC is building the largest 3d printed work of art in history

1.5 million 3D printed beads hanging from an iconic bridge in Grand Rapids, MI

This artwork is a memorial conceived for the 111th anniversary of the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, once the most populous bird in the world before being driven to extinction in decades.

These reimagined portraits of native bird species bring scale to some the harm humans have caused our natural world, 1.5 million beads for 1.5 million birds. This project activates space to grieve and to learn, building reciprocal relationships between viewers and birds that have been loved in this region for generations.

This piece is pro-bird, anti-extinction, informed by Indigenous wisdom, and rooted in preserving our natural history and our relations.

26 triangles

Each measuring 16ft long by 10ft tall

& comprised of almost 30,000 3D printed beads in up to 50 colors

Patterns inspired by different species of native birds with direct references to historical works of scientific illustration (Ex. John James Audubon's drawings of Red-Winged Blackbirds shown here)

MAC drafted this pattern using Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator and designed it to be broken down into portions to be assembled in community

These reimagined portraits of native bird species are intended to bring scale to the human consequences our natural world has endured while building reciprocal relationships between viewers and birds that have been known and loved in this region for countless generations.

2 Featured portraits

This artwork is a memorial conceived for the 111th anniversary of the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, once the most populous bird in the world before being driven to extinction in decades.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum has a painting of Passenger Pigeons by MI resident Lewis Lumen Cross who painted these from living memory.

One large (24ft x 15ft) curtain will mirror Cross's composition.

Another large curtain will collage two of Audubon's drawings.

The Ivory Billed Woodpecker and the Pileated Woodpecker plates merged as a decaying branch with a dead species on the left, and a vibrant community of birds still common to this region filling the right.

Prototyping

Cross stitch pattern from book

MAC found a book of Audubon inspired cross stitch patterns at a thrift store in June 2025

Beaded curtain for College of Dupage

MAC created this piece September of 2025 in honor of the 111th anniversary of the passing of Martha, the last Passenger Pigeon. 5ft wide x 8ft tall

Ghost bead details

These beads were originally downloaded from Thingiverse from user DaveMakesStuff and are available for creative personal use, but not for commercial sale or original exhibition.

Mac's redesigned pop bead

MAC designed a new version of the bead from scratch, drawing on the x shape from cross stitching, swirling the design for visual interest, and prioritizing connection strength, material efficiency, & print speed.

8ft x 5ft section

Each of the 18 Triangles breaks down into 4 sections for sale & transportation.

Sections will be permanently assembled in advance, then joined on-site.

IMG_6730.MOV

Prototype of 8ft x 5ft section

This prototype section was by created by MAC to test scale & durability.

It has been hanging, exposed to the elements in Chicago, IL since 10.10.25

IMG_6731.MOV

All weather testing

This prototype is reinforced with yarn through the first 5 beads, but the rest are held together only by their pop connections. Only 3 beads have fallen off.

IMG_6560.MOV

20ft strand of beads

MAC hoisted this strand of beads into the air to test the durability of a 20ft length. There are no reinforcements, only the beads own strength.

Process visualization

MAC is documenting process and practice for their ArtPrize application.

IMG_7688.MOV

First two finished sections

Mirrored Red-Winged Blackbird panels 1 & 2 at full scale: 8 ft long x 5ft tall

MAC is sharing space with the Grandville RoboDawgs Robotics team

in a purpose-build Robotics competition facility to

Prototype and fabricate this beaded curtain project

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse