Laser-engraved "Tiled Systems" by Sonia Almeida
Professor Sonia Almeida collaborated with Greg Buckland (Head of the Makerlab), Eliza Bier '26 (Student Manager, Digital Scholarship Lab), and Penny Llibre '25 (Student Worker) to create laser-engraved wood block stamps.
Professor Almeida tells explains Tiled Systems, which forms part of her 'Stages' exhibition at the Clark Museum in Williamstown, MA
One of four laser-engraved plywood blocks. Professor Almeida created the imagery and they were engraved in the MakerLab.
"Tiled Systems, my project for the Clark Institute, consists of four 20 × 30 inch laser-engraved plywood blocks produced at the Brandeis MakerLab's using their large-format Mira 9 laser cutter. The imagery would be nearly impossible to carve by hand, and this method offered an effective solution for the complex layouts. Preparing the digital files involved black-and-white inversion and careful resolution adjustments to achieve a high level of detail.
Two blocks depict captures from jacquard-weave programming interfaces, while the other two reference diagrams of the sympathetic nervous system. This work extends my research into jacquard-weave software, originally developed to automate complex textile patterns. The system relies on grids, codes, and algorithmic structures to translate images into threads and textured patterns into executable instructions. In contrast, the sympathetic nervous system functions automatically, beyond conscious control. Under certain conditions, it becomes a constant negotiator between instability and equilibrium, exerting extra effort to sustain what is effortless for others—remaining upright, maintaining blood flow to the brain, or regulating internal pressure in response to movement.
After engraving, I returned the woodblocks to my studio, inked them in specific colors, and printed them on both sides of Gampi paper. The prints were then cut into four sections and assembled into an open-edition artist book which will be on view during the exhibition."
View more project photos below. Use the arrow (hovering on the right side of the image) to scroll:
One of Professor Almeida's laser engravings on a plywood block. Shared with Sonia Almeida's permission.
