Prototypes for Hermit Crab Shells
"Prototypes for Hermit Crab Shells" (2001) is a work by Amy Youngs & Matt Derksen.
Prototypes for Hermit Crab Shells
Hermit Crabs cannot grow their own shells, so they rely upon marine snails to produce the shells they use to protect themselves. When they grow out of the old shell, or find another that just suits their fancy, they will move into a new one. It is our hope that they will want to move into these shells that have been designed and rapid-prototyped especially for them. We realize that it is entirely possible (maybe even likely) that our designs will fail to meet their expectations, given the longstanding evolutionary relationship they have with the snail shells they currently use. We consider this to be a work in progress, as with this medium of rapid prototyping, many trial and error designs can be realized in a rapid, hyper-evolututive process; allowing the hermit crabs themselves to be the ultimate judges of what works.
(2’ x 3’ x 1.5’) – Live hermit crabs, computer-designed and selectively laser-sintered plastic shells, aquarium and 3D animation.
