Selected Works
1. Early Bird Asym-Ovoid
5051 aluminum, basswood (ply), balsa wood, string, tracing paper.
2025
Inspired by the early days of aviation and the human desire for flight, Asym-Ovoid explores traditional aeronautical construction methods through the delicate nature of an egg.
Jesse was invited to create this sculpture for “Early Bird,” a group show at Palo Galley (NYC) curated by Sascha Lewit. The show navigates the significance of birds in art and culture throughout history.
2. Fossilization
Fossil No.1
7071 Aluminum, Plaster, Sand, Rock, Dirt
2025
This is the first work from an ongoing series of sculptures that attempts to imagine the reminisce of our society and technological advancements.
“If we solve our plastic problems, our wasteful habits, and focus on improving our world through science and technology… What will be discovered in 2000 years?”
Fossil No.1 is a CNC machined, AI generated bracket from a motor mount sub-assembly for a robotic arm that was damaged in the manufacturing process (designed and engineered by RJB).
3. Generation
Re-Rorschach
Generative Visualization of Emotion
2025
Inspired by the Rorschach test, this project aims to evoke a visual response to emotion rather than provoking an emotional response to imagery.
The program analyzes the user's emotional input and outputs a personalized inkblot based on trigger words and various plotting parameters. The code pulls from a library of over 200 scanned and vectorized ink splotches made on paper to ensure that the result feels organic.
4. Home Grown
Algae Grow Sytem v1
Steel, PETG, 6061 aluminum, silicone, glass, misc. electronics
2025
This prototype algae grow system is a scaled down version of a design Jesse had previously worked on. The concept is to create an ambient light for a home or apartment that captures and converts the energy that would have been absorbed by a lamp shade into photosynthesis. Chlorella and spirulina are being grown in the image above for their nutritional benefits. The bottles can be removed and harvested without disturbing the rest of the system.
5. Client Project
Euclid Stool
R. Jesse Baltazar & LIMBO ACCRA
Plywood
2024
Limbo ACCRA approached Richard in the fall of 2024 to design a chair, stool, and table. The concept that LIMBO ACCRA provided was to use the roman numeral IV as the structure for the objects (chapter number from Dante’s Inferno that describes limbo). Through many iterations and working closely with the Limbo ACCRA team, Richard materialized the final design as a monolithic piece of plywood. The strength of the final structure allowed for the object to be used as both a stool/chair and a table (if oriented upside down).
6. Robots Need to Have Fun Too
Robo Toys
Aluminum, steel
2024
After spending some time in the lab with “Spot,” a quadruped robotic dog (by Boston Dynamics), Jesse sought out to create some more interesting objects to train the robot with. This resulted in a series of toys that offer various challenges for end effector manipulation and image recognition.
7. Protecting Precision
Ruler Scabbard
Mahogany, Ash [wood]
2024
Precision instruments are to be treated delicately and with respect as to not tarnish their usefulness. This form of protecting rulers was inspired by “Shikomizue,” a plain scabbard used to transport or store katanas in order to protect them from oxidation or other damage. In this case, the scabbard also protects other items from being damaged or scratched by the sharp corners of the rulers while transporting them in a bag. The stand was designed to display the stored rulers in a way that pays homage to traditional Katana-Kake (sward stand) while using contemporary western construction methods (influenced by Eames).
8. Generative Design
Generative A.I. Components for Robotics
Autodesk Fusion 360 “Generative”
2023
Robot Parts designed by RJB with Autodesk Fusion 360 “Generative Design.”
9. Proof of Concept
“PBR” System
Wood, glass, rubber tubing, wire, ceramic, misc. electronics
2022
The PBR system is demonstrative sculpture built to communicate the concept of aquaponics in a common, and accessible visual language.
Beer cans are used as the growing vessel, all the plumbing is done in clear tubing so viewers can follow the flow of water, and a system of truss structures are used to relate the system to urban architectural features (bridges, water towers, scaffolding, etc.).
© Richard J. Baltazar 2025