figuramo

Figuramo is a fictional concept used in speculative design and narrative art to describe a practice that creates figurines blending traditional sculpture with interactive, modular, or digital elements. It is not a formal movement with universal criteria; rather, it functions as a label in hypothetical or experimental discourse.

Origins and usage: The term emerged in design and art writing in the early 21st century as artists explored hybrids of the physical object and digital interactivity. It is used by independent studios, curators, and educators to discuss works that foreground modularity, narrative variation, and audience participation.

Characteristics: Figuramo works typically feature modular bodies composed of interchangeable parts or poseable joints. Materials range from resin, ceramic, and wood to 3D-printed polymers. Many pieces integrate simple electronics, LEDs, sensors, or augmented reality overlays to reveal additional states or stories when viewed with a device.

Practice and reception: Figuramo remains niche and informal, lacking a centralized canon. It has influenced indie toy design, gallery installations, and speculative design pedagogy, while inviting discussion about authorship, reproducibility, and the relationship between tangible objects and digital content.

See also: Related terms include figurine, miniature sculpture, hybrid art, augmented reality sculpture, and interactive art.