University of Macau

Everglow

FINALIST Project

Yao Kunsui, Feng Yinuo, Mou Zhenbang, Xu Mingshu, Yao Songwen, Zhou Ze

Everglow is a commemorative project blending traditional Chinese culture with modern biotechnology. It uses innovative biofilm design to safely convert pet ashes into plant nutrients, allowing life to continue in a new form. This process helps people cope with pet loss by transforming sorrow into remembrance. By embracing the cycle of life, the project offers healing and solace, fostering a deeper understanding of life and loss through a meaningful, living memorial.

Shaped Shellac Dehumidifier Box

NonfINALIST Project

LI YUTING, LI JIAHONG, XU MINGSHUO

Shaped Shellac Dehumidifier Box designed to address high humidity levels in coastal towns while repurposing abundant shell waste. The project transforms discarded shells into shell powder, which is then compressed into bio-bricks. These shell biobricks are stacked to form a pendulum-like ornament with a porous structure that naturally absorbs moisture from the air. This eco-friendly design not only reduces air humidity in homes but also promotes sustainable material use by giving new life to coastal shell waste. Shaped Shellac blends function and aesthetics, serving as both a decorative piece and a practical solution for damp environments.

Hydrophobic Leaf Fabric

NonfINALIST Project

Hong Du, Qingtong Mo, Chunxin Zeng

Hydrophobic Leaf Fabric merges biomaterial science and fluid dynamics to create a natural art-science system. By harnessing varying hydrophobic properties of four selected leaves—superhydrophobic lotus, leathery Sansevieria trifasciata, semi-hydrophilic Epipremnum aureum, and thin hydrophilic Cordyline fruticosa—the project forms a hydrophobic gradient that directs ink flow on fabric. Geometrically cut and layered, these leaves guide ink drops to move uniquely under gravity and surface tension, creating distinct patterns shaped by each leaf’s texture and water repellency. The outcome is a fusion of artistic expression and scientific principles, combining cultural symbolism with innovative material experimentation.

40k-80kHz

NonfINALIST Project

Zhu Tiancheng, Xiao Siyi, Ding Xuetong

40k-80kHz explores the hidden acoustic world of plants under stress. Scientific studies reveal that plants emit ultrasonic sounds—caused by cavitation in the xylem—when facing drought or other stressors. These signals, ranging from 40 kHz to 80 kHz, are imperceptible to humans but may hold key insights into plant physiology under climate pressure. The project involved growing multiple plant species and recording their stress responses in soundproof chambers using ultrasonic microphones. Varying species and water deprivation levels, the captured signals were then transformed into a musical composition, offering a sensory translation of environmental stress from the plant’s own perspective.

生物灵碑/The Monument of Life

NonfINALIST Project

蔡玮馨

The Monument of Life draws inspiration from the ethereal qualities and life cycle of jellyfish. Known for their translucent bodies and shifting colors, jellyfish evoke a sense of mystery—especially in the dark depths of the sea. This project explores the poetic transition between life and death, highlighting how, after death, a jellyfish slowly dissolves. Its tissues decompose, becoming nourishment for other organisms, and its body fades into abstraction. This gradual blurring represents a "second state" of life—where boundaries between existence and dissolution blur. The work invites reflection on impermanence, transformation, and the unseen cycles that continue beneath the surface.

Dr. Hongtao ZHOU is a Full Professor and Design Programme Leader at the University of Macau. Previously, he served as Shanghai Oriental Distinguished Professor and Vice Dean at Tongji University College of Design and Innovation, and Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. He is a Scientific Director of the Permanent Collection SaloneSatellite and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. 

Hongtao ZHOU is an interdisciplinary artist, designer, and scholar of Art, Design, and Built Environment. His work intersects art, design, architecture, science, and social innovation. He has exhibited his work at Centre Pompidou, the Venice Biennale, and the Milan Triennial. 

Dr. Michael Whittle is an Associate Professor of Contemporary Art in the Department of Arts and Design. His research-based artworks, inspired by scientific and technological discoveries, reflect both his unique background in biochemistry and fine art and his dedication to fostering public understanding of these fields. His recent projects include a large-scale installation at the 2022 Changwon Sculpture Biennale, developed with an astrophysicist at NASA, and “Perpetual Motion” (2020), exploring movement and memory with Nobel laureates in neuroscience. He co-founded “Pollen,” an AI-powered creative studio in Kyoto, and co-initiated the Art Futures Asia Prize.