Aki Inomata
Contemporary artistAki Inomata is a Japanese contemporary artist whose work explores the relationships between humans, animals and the environment. Through technology and biological processes, she examines themes of identity, migration and coexistence between species.
Why Not Hand Over a “Shelter” to Hermit Crabs?
In this project, Inomata creates transparent, 3D-printed shells inspired by buildings and cityscapes around the world and offers them to hermit crabs. Using CT scans of natural shells to reproduce their internal structure, she designs shelters that the crabs can inhabit. As the animals move into these new homes, the work draws parallels between their changing shells and human experiences of migration, displacement and national identity.