Source of the Work: This piece is an original creation, inspired by the message embedded in the West Sea Art Museum’s exhibit “The Cambrian Explosion,” which evokes the ocean as the cradle of life, as well as by Qingdao’s renowned maritime drama “Chasing Dreams Across the Vast Ocean,” which explores humanity’s enduring quest to understand the ocean and its role in shaping life.
Work Overview:
This work uses a 3D‑printed aquarium as its container, with the final piece assembled from multiple printed components. The overall dimensions are approximately 25 cm × 15 cm × 15 cm. Running horizontally from outer to inner, the aquarium is composed of three distinct layers: a perforated viewing panel, a 2 mm water‑tight barrier, and a rotating marine mural.

     The key elements of this work include: a creatively designed aquarium, underwater flora and fauna models—such as blue‑striped fish, coral, and sea turtles—to symbolize life; islands and sailboats representing human civilization; a base layer constructed from crushed sand, gravel, and recycled filament waste; small LED lights and starry string lights that evoke the romantic allure of the ocean; and a towering, mythical Kraken—a monstrous sea creature often depicted as a harbinger of chaos yet revered as a sea god—embodying the awe and curiosity that generations have held for the ocean.
This work exists in two distinct forms: static and dynamic.
Static: A Harmonious Coexistence Within the Ocean. Illuminated by soft, colored PLA filaments that echo the hues of the sea, the piece features a seascape mural whose palette is dominated by shades of blue and green—capturing the ocean’s timeless romance and vibrant vitality. Through this design, the work celebrates humanity’s age‑old yearning to embrace the sea and to pursue the mysteries of life.
Dynamic: A robotic, Bluetooth‑controlled bionic octopus—resembling the legendary “Ocean Demon”—rotates within the aquarium, mimicking the ebb and flow of waves and even the swirling power of a tornado. This kinetic element conveys the profound reverence that people have always held for the ocean.
Equipment Used: The Tair Shi Dai UP300 series printer, along with an industrial‑grade dual‑nozzle printer.
Materials: Primarily blue and green PLA, with select vessels and island structures printed using green and black ABS and ASA materials to enhance durability. For the mural, a dual‑nozzle printer was employed to leverage PLA and ABS as mutual supports during printing, while fluorescent and color‑intense PLA filaments were utilized to add striking visual effects.