Microplastics never disappear — not from the Earth, and not from our bodies.
When something leaves a deep mark, we often say it’s “engraved in our bones.” Bones are not only the deepest part of our bodies, but they also represent death.
This project shows that even after death, microplastics stay inside our bodies. What humans created has now become part of us — so deep that it reaches our bones. Even when we die, these plastics don’t go away.
Microplastics are still alive inside us.
Since this artwork represents microplastics, I used a material similar to plastic.
To create small and detailed bones, I used a 3D printer.
To show microplastics, I used leftover plastic pieces from the 3D printing process.
The goal of this project was to create my own version of a human hand bone and make it move using a motor. I studied bones and reassembled them in a new way, then modeled the hand bones in 3D. To make each bone move freely, I also researched how joints work.
A lot of time was spent connecting the printed bones and joints smoothly.
Later, I planned to use a motor to move the bones, but the bones were too small, so I needed to use a micro motor and redesign the bones. However, because of limited time, I chose a different method to make the bones move.
Microplastics have infiltrated every part of our bodies—lungs, blood, even the brain. So, I studied the structure of bones using anatomy books and various images, and then reassembled a hand inspired by different parts of the body. This hand recalls Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, where God breathes life into man.
However, in this work, the hand symbolizes how the power humans use to control the Earth has instead connected us to death.
Also, while bones traditionally symbolize death, the bones in this artwork move. This shows that just because something isn’t visible doesn’t mean it has disappeared, and it metaphorically demonstrates that microplastics are still “alive” inside us. In this way, the artwork raises awareness of hidden dangers and reflects how we must face the consequences of our own making.
-Minji Kim