3D printed ceramic sculptures double as hotels for insects

Raphaël Emine creates 3D printed ceramic sculptures

Artist Raphaël Emine creates 3D printed ceramic sculptures that double as hotels for insects and small wildlife. He collaborates with WASP, a 3D printing company, for the printers and clay of the sculptural works. Named Les Utopies Entomologiques (Entomological Utopias), the artist designs the pieces to house insects and other living organisms. They bear complex ceramic structures similar to a housing system. In fact, the artist draws inspiration from the natural construction models such as honeycomb cells and worm and spider webs.

He also sources the design influences from plant fractals and geodesic mineral formations. These are visible through the patterns depicting his 3D printed ceramic sculptures, from the huge entrances to the decorative ball-shaped designs on the sides. Unlike traditional sculptures, which may be more rectilinear or enclosed monoliths, the ones Raphaël Emine has 3D printed have galleries, tunnels, corridors, and balconies throughout them all. These help the insects and small wildlife find spots for themselves and treat the ceramic sculptures as their natural nests.

all images courtesy of Raphaël Eminem and WASP | photo by Jerome Valton

Natural ‘hotel’ homes inspired by utopian architecture

The 3D printed ceramic sculptures and hotels by artist Raphaël Emine are ideal for outdoor spaces. They are suitable to work through several cycles of the insects and small wildlife, even during their metamorphosis and the seasonal changes. So far, the artist has installed two of his 3D printed ceramic sculptures. These are Utopies entomologiques I and Utopies entomologiques II in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He builds all of these creations with the printers and clay of WASP, exhibiting the versatility of the company’s machines and 3D printing technology.

Aside from recreating the natural homes of the insects and small wildlife, the artist looks into baroque, biomorphic designs for his 3D printed ceramic sculptures. The results also reminisce about utopian architecture, buildings that were once just a figment of imagination. For specs buffs, the specific machine and material that Raphaël Emine has used are WASP 40100 LDM and Delta WASP 2040 Clay. So far, his sculptural works have formed part of an installation in the palm grove of Parc Maison Blanche in Marseille. Here, palm trees anchor some of his 3D printed ceramic sculptures. Over time, insects and small wildlife have begun to flock to his clay works.

Raphaël Emine creates 3D printed ceramic sculptures that double as hotels for insects | photo by Jerome Valton