in the tiger penis project, kuang-yi ku employs emerging biotechnologies to create artificial animal parts traditionally used in chinese medicine, in order to avoid putting more wild animals in danger. presented during dutch design week at the design academy eindhoven graduation show, the project offers an alternative which prevents the further eradication of animals while preserving traditional cultures and the values found in thousands of years of medical practice. 

kuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicine

image © design academy eindhoven
by ronald smits

 

 

the tiger penis project suggests a new hybrid medicine that bridges the conflict between health, cultural heritage, and environmental conservation. kuang- yi ku recognizes the benefits traditional chinese medicine still holds today, despite the skepticism of contemporary, scientific practices, while at the same time acknowledges the fact that the high demand for wild animal parts in it poses a threat to endangered species. the recent graduate, who works as a practicing dentist, bio-artist, and social designer, has developed a technique to grow these parts in the lab, merging elements of asian traditions and western technologies together. the tiger penis project takes its name from the role of the animal part in traditional chinese medicine, which is used to increase virility. 

 

kuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicineimage © design academy eindhoven
by ronald smits

kuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicineimage © designboom

kuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicineimage © kuang-yi ku

kuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicineimage © designboom

kuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicineimage © kuang-yi ku

kuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicineimage © kuang-yi ku

kuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicineimage © designboomkuang-yi ku creates artificial animal parts to replace the use of real ones in chinese medicineimage © kuang-yi ku