Master Artisan & Sculptor

Forging Ethereal Light & Steel

I bridge the stark reality of raw industrial materials with the fluid dynamics of programmable light, engineering monumental kinetic sculptures that transform passive architectural spaces into living, breathing immersive experiences.

Chronology of Craft

Professional Forging

2020 - Present

Lead Fabrication Artist

Lumina Spatial Works, Berlin
  • Engineered and TIG-welded complex load-bearing spatial armatures, reducing structural weight by 35% while exceeding strict EU seismic compliance for public installations.
  • Architected proprietary DMX-to-Kinetic software bridges, synchronizing 10,000+ LED nodes with high-torque servo motors for seamless mechanical choreography.
  • Spearheaded material procurement and lifecycle analysis, pivoting to 80% recycled aerospace-grade aluminum, drastically reducing the studio's carbon footprint.
  • Directed cross-functional teams of structural engineers, glass blowers, and electrical technicians to deliver million-euro commissions 15% under budget.
2016 - 2020

Senior Kinetic Designer

Obscura Digital (Now MSG Sphere Studios)
  • Prototyped interactive architectural facades using parametric CAD modeling (Rhino/Grasshopper), translating generative algorithms into CNC-machined physical components.
  • Pioneered a hybrid neon-argon cold-cathode bending technique that increased the durability of outdoor light tubes by 40% against extreme weather conditions.
  • Co-authored 3 technical patents relating to modular kinetic joint assemblies used in large-scale touring stage designs.
2013 - 2016

Apprentice Metalsmith

Vulcan Heavy Industries
  • Mastered manual and CNC milling, lathe operation, and precision grinding, achieving tolerances within 0.001 inches for bespoke architectural hardware.
  • Executed flawless 6G pipe welds and structural joinery, directly contributing to the structural integrity of award-winning brutalist architectural projects.
  • Implemented digital inventory and tooling maintenance protocols, increasing workshop efficiency by 22%.
Technical Arsenal

The Master's Matrix

Material Manipulation

TIG / MIG / Arc Welding 98%
Cold-Cathode Neon Bending 90%
CNC Machining & Milling 85%
Metallurgy Glassblowing Carbon Fiber Layup Anodizing

Digital Fabrication

AutoCAD / SolidWorks 95%
Rhino + Grasshopper 88%
Structural FEA Analysis 75%
Fusion 360 CAM Toolpathing 3D Printing (SLA/FDM) Parametric Design

Illumination & Control

DMX / Art-Net Programming 92%
TouchDesigner / Resolume 80%
Embedded Systems (Arduino/Pi) 85%
MadMapper High-Voltage Transformers Sensory Integration Python
Featured Works

Spatial Interventions

Abstract neon and metal structure in dark room

Project: SYNAPSE

Argon Neon TIG Welded Steel TouchDesigner LIDAR Sensors

A 40-foot kinetic ceiling installation commissioned for a subterranean techno club in Berlin. The structure reacts to acoustic frequencies and crowd density via LIDAR, physically undulating while shifting through a programmed DMX light spectrum, creating a biometric feedback loop between the architecture and the audience.

Case Study Highlights
  • Fabricated 120 custom articulation joints capable of 1 million cycles.
  • Engineered custom high-voltage enclosures to meet IP65 ratings for humid environments.
Industrial geometric metallic lighting fixture

The Obsidian Monolith

Anodized Aluminum Addressable LEDs Grasshopper

Designed and fabricated as the central focal point for a corporate tech campus lobby. Standing at 15 feet, this monolithic structure utilizes parametric tessellation. The metal skin features micro-perforations that emit a subtle, breathing glow driven by live data feeds of global internet traffic.

Case Study Highlights
  • Utilized 5-axis CNC milling for perfect edge alignment of 400 unique geometric panels.
  • Developed a Python script to translate API data directly into Art-Net DMX values.
Glowing circular light tunnel installation

Event Horizon Portal

Rolled Corten Steel COB LED Strips MadMapper

An immersive gateway installation for a major international music festival. Constructed from heavily oxidized Corten steel rings nested within each other, the portal creates an optical illusion of infinite depth through perfectly mapped pixel-chase sequences triggered by motion sensors.

Case Study Highlights
  • Designed for modularity: entire 3-ton structure packs flat into a single shipping container.
  • Executed precise plate rolling and submerged arc welding for flawless ring geometry.
Sparks flying from metal welding work

Bespoke Stage Armature

Aerospace Aluminum Kinetic Winches SolidWorks

A custom-built, transforming DJ booth and overhead rigging system for a world-touring artist. The design required extreme weight reduction without sacrificing structural integrity, allowing the rig to seamlessly deploy and retract over the performer during the climax of the show.

Case Study Highlights
  • Passed rigorous TÜV structural safety certifications for overhead lifting.
  • Integrated hidden cable management systems through the hollow structural tubing.

Pedigree

2016

AWS Certified Welder (D1.1 & D1.2)

American Welding Society

Certified in structural steel and aluminum. Mastery of positions up to 6G.

2013

MFA in Industrial Design & Kinetic Sculpture

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

Graduated with Honors. Thesis: "The Symbiosis of Rigid Structures and Fluid Light".

2011

BSc Mechanical Engineering

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Focus on material science, kinematics, and structural load analysis.

Intangibles

Cross-Disciplinary Translation

Bridging the communication gap between software engineers writing DMX code, structural engineers calculating sheer loads, and architects envisioning spatial flow. I speak all three languages fluently.

Obsessive Safety Protocol

When hanging 3 tons of metal and high-voltage electronics over a crowd, failure is not an option. I cultivate a rigorous culture of redundancy, double-checks, and safety-first fabrication in every shop I lead.

Adaptive Problem Solving

Installation art on site is pure chaos. Whether facing unexpected load-bearing limitations or sudden hardware failures hours before a launch, I excel at improvising structurally sound, aesthetically uncompromised solutions under extreme pressure.

Industry Validation

Endorsements

"Elias is a rare breed. He possesses the heavy-industry fabrication skills of a master pipefitter combined with the delicate aesthetic sensibilities of a fine artist. He took our impossible architectural concept, engineered it to be 20% lighter, and delivered a kinetic centerpiece that defined the entire venue."

Marcus Voltz
Lead Architect, Voltz Spatial Studio

"Working with Elias means zero compromises. His understanding of DMX universes mapping onto physical topography is unmatched. We threw complex, non-linear generative algorithms at his custom-built lighting arrays, and they handled it flawlessly. A true technical artisan."

Sarah Jenkins
Creative Technologist, Obscura Digital

"I've managed dozens of fabrication shops, and Elias's leadership is transformational. He elevated our safety standards, introduced CNC workflows that saved us hundreds of man-hours, and mentored junior welders with immense patience. He demands perfection, but inspires the team to achieve it."

David Rourke
Operations Manager, Vulcan Heavy Ind.
Initiate Transmission

Commission a Vision

Currently accepting commissions for large-scale architectural lighting, custom stage kinetics, and bespoke industrial art installations for Q3/Q4.

SECURE CHANNEL
studio@eliasvance.art
FABRICATION HQ
Kreuzberg Industrial Zone, Berlin
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