3D-Printed City Shells For Hermit Crabs by Aki Inomata

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“Why Not Hand Over a ‘Shelter’ to Hermit Crabs” is the name of the innovative project created by Japanese artist Aki Inomata that sees hermit crabs gain homes like they have never seen before. This species of crab uses various sized shells for home and shelter throughout its life, regularly casting old ones aside for more spacious shells upon growing in size. Inomata was inspired to create some of the most extravagant homes possible for the crabs, using human a 3D printer to construct them. The world’s most famous cities where used as designs for the various ‘shells’ printed out, which the crabs were more than happy to call home. The idea for the project came to her upon hearing an interesting story about humans trading shelters much like the hermit crabs. In 2009, Japan received ownership of the land in which the French Embassy was located, having formally belonged to the French. After 50 years though, the land will be given back to the French from the Japanese. “The same piece of land is peacefully transferred from one country to the other,” Inomata writes. “These kinds of things take place without our being aware of it” Have a look and see some of the awesome new homes for the hermit crabs, how they are made and just how the crabs receive their new lodgings.