Skip to main content

Crab Moves in Under Chrysler Building; Refuses to Budge

Japanese artist Aki Inomata created a series of 3D-printed hermit crab homes after learning that the land under the French Embassy in Tokyo changed from being French to being Japanese in 2009 and would subsequently change back in 2059.

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


Japanese artist Aki Inomata created a series of 3D-printed hermit crab homes after learning that the land under the French Embassy in Tokyo changed from being French to being Japanese in 2009 and would subsequently change back in 2059. The exchange reminded her of a hermit crab changing its shell and so she set out to illustrate this idea with actual hermit crabs. The more she thought about it, the more she was intrigued by how modern life often mimics this exchange as people move freely between countries, adopting new nationalities and identities as they go.

Aki Inomata's work can be found on her online portfolio.

___________


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


For the third year running, we are turning September into a month-long celebration of science artists by delivering a new morsel of sciart to chew on each day. Totally yum? Check out what was previously featured on this day:

2013: Dress so Chic you Can See it From Space with artwork by Slow Factory

 

 

2012: Arach-Attack! with artwork by Marlin Peterson