The Hermit Crab can now inhabit a 3D printed shell representing famous landmarks, specially created by Japanese artist Aki Inomata.

Japanese artist Aki Inomata is using 3D printing to build homes. However, rather than large structures for humans, she’s developing artistic cityscapes that hermit crabs can adopt.

She has recreated everything from NYC skyscrapers to wedding chapels in miniature 3D printed forms. And the hermit crabs are only too happy to move in; they change their shells as they grow. Sometimes they are even kicked out of their shelters by stronger hermit crabs and forced to exchange shells.

The title of her Inomata’s art is “Why Not Hand Over a “Shelter” to Hermit Crabs?” Through her work, she is tackling a range of subjects from postcolonialism to the migrant crisis.

She explains:

“The hermit crabs in my piece, who exchange shelters representing cities of the world, seem to be crossing over national borders. It also brings to mind migrants and refugees changing their nationalities and the places where they live.”

However, some sceptics might question whether hermit crabs need potentially toxic plastic to accompany them in the oceans. Watch the video below and decide for yourself.

3D Printing Hermit Crab Housing

Inomata explains her inspiration for the project  on her website:

“My idea for this piece came about when I participated in the ‘No Man’s Land’ exhibition that was held at the French Embassy in Japan in 2009. This work was inspired by the fact that the land of the former French Embassy in Japan had been French until October 2009, and then became Japanese for the following fifty years, after which it will be returned to France.”

The story made her think of how hermit crabs exchange their shells. “A piece of land is peacefully exchanged between two countries,” she says. “While it is the same piece of land, our definition of it changes.”

To explore this process in her art, she used 3D printing to create spherical designs for hermit crabs. However, these designs proved unpopular with the crustaceans. She tried a different approach with CT scans to study the natural shapes of the hermit crab shells. This resulted in more desirable forms.

Inomata was then able to 3D print the 3DCG data in clear resin. This process allowed her to create shelters which the hermit crabs would move into. Since this breakthrough, her work has become popular real-estate for hermit crabs.

Do you know any hermit crabs who could use some stylish housing? Contact Inomata about her work through her website. Currently, the designs are not available for you to print yourself.