A stalactite/stalagmite forms from water droplets and the dissolved solids therein.

The idea here is to create a dripping system (with perhaps faster accreting chemicals than those naturally found in caves) that would, from a 3D design (e.g. a Venus of Milo, or a David, or an arbitrary shape), create the necessary set of water sprouts and dissolved solids to create the design over a period of time, ideally faster than geological, so that results could be observed.
-- theircompetitor, Apr 07 2018

Limestone pillar supports Limestone_20pillar_20supports
Description of similar accretion method, without the focus on precise controlled design. [Loris, Apr 13 2018]

// faster accreting chemicals //

You just need higher ambient temperatures, although the flowstone produced may not be as smooth and dense as the naturally produced item.
-- 8th of 7, Apr 07 2018


Sugar crystals?
-- RayfordSteele, Apr 07 2018


So technically I was right, it 'Is' a Transformer...
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Apr 07 2018


One of the Dinobots, surely?
-- RayfordSteele, Apr 07 2018


Perhaps a very slow 3D printer, consisting of a nozzle that moves under computer control in the horizontal plane, and every now and again drips a drop of calcium-bearing water onto the baseplate beneath?
-- Wrongfellow, Apr 07 2018


[+] Maybe do this with ice. Forming an actual rock formation would be more impressive, but an ice sculpture might be possible in hours or days.
-- scad mientist, Apr 07 2018


And I thought this would be some device for escaping from German prisoner of war camps. But, 1 bun.
-- not_morrison_rm, Apr 08 2018


The thing is that it would continue growing after it was "finished"

Could some flow modelling system be used so that it grew and then blocked its own delivery rills?
-- pocmloc, Apr 08 2018


How would the undercuts be formed of a complex structure like a human figure? A pyramid type mound of various coloured strata would be easy but I can't see how anything else could be generated simply by the stalagtite process, but the author I'm sure can explain.
-- xenzag, Apr 08 2018


Well, perhaps we can implement fans as well to add erosion? I suppose template forms would be cheating. Well, I'm sure Trump will come up with something.

[not_morrison_rm] ha
-- theircompetitor, Apr 08 2018


// I'm sure Trump will come up with something //

The warmth of his cheery, radiant smile will certainly evaporate the water faster. Keep the Democrats away - cold and slime won't help your sculpture to grow.

//How would the undercuts be formed //

Det cord.
-- 8th of 7, Apr 13 2018


//How would the undercuts be formed // Cycles of different media with the final wash away cycles. -98°C methanol support for ice? A drippy Venus of Milo might be interesting.
-- wjt, Apr 13 2018



random, halfbakery