Plastic Heart
LED Media Art for SuKang You (Hongik University)
Plastic Heart is a Public LED Media Art installation that visualizes the environmental crisis caused by plastic waste. The artwork takes the form of a heart, constructed from colorful plastic debris, pulsating rhythmically like a living organ. Utilizing AI-generated imagery and NeRF technology, the piece transforms digital artwork into a striking 3D visualization. The LED display enhances its immersive quality, engaging the audience with a thought provoking spectacle.
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Plastic Heart by SuKang You
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LED Media Art by SuKang You
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SuKang You Plastic Heart
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SuKang You LED Media Art
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SuKang You Designer Portrait Photo
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SuKang You Hongik University Brand Logo
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Unique Properties
Plastic Heart is a Public LED Media Art installation that visualizes the environmental crisis caused by plastic waste. The artwork takes the form of a heart, constructed from colorful plastic debris, pulsating rhythmically like a living organ. Utilizing AI-generated imagery and NeRF technology, the piece transforms digital artwork into a striking 3D visualization. The LED display enhances its immersive quality, engaging the audience with a thought-provoking spectacle.
Tags
Plastic Heart, Public LED Media Art, Environmental Awareness, Generative AI, NeRF Technology, Digital Art, Motion Graphics, Sustainable Design, Plastic Pollution, Visual Storytelling
Production Technology
Plastic Heart was created using generative AI to generate 3D visualizations, which were then refined through digital compositing. This public LED media installation is a video-based artwork designed for large-scale display. NeRF technology was used to generate multi-angle 3D objects based on the desired design, enhancing spatial realism. The final visuals were processed with post-production tools such as After Effects for a seamless and immersive motion effect.
Design Challenge
The biggest challenge was utilizing generative AI and NeRF tools to achieve precise artistic control. While generative AI provided visually compelling outputs, refining them to match the intended design required extensive adjustments. NeRF was used to generate multi-angle 3D objects, but optimizing them for animation and integration into the final composition was complex. Overcoming these challenges involved iterative refinement and a hybrid approach combining AI with traditional post-production tools.
Project Duration
Plastic Heart was produced from September to November 2024. The video was created for SMAF 2025 (Seoul Media Art Festival) and was first exhibited on December 25, 2024, at COEX Mall in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. The anamorphic LED screen display measured 4224mm (W) × 1944mm (H) and was adapted for 14 different screen formats to ensure broad accessibility across various public display environments.
Operation Flow
Plastic Heart is a video-based public LED media installation that serves as a visual warning about the environmental impact of reckless plastic consumption. The heart, made of vibrant plastic debris, symbolizes an unidentified life form, blurring the lines between human, animal, and planet. Ironically, the video starts with dazzling, festive visuals set to Christmas carols, drawing viewers in with beauty before revealing its underlying environmental message.
Research
Plastic Heart serves as a visual statement on the environmental crisis caused by plastic waste. By transforming discarded plastics into a pulsating heart, it highlights the consequences of excessive consumption. The vibrant yet critical imagery draws viewers in, prompting reflection on sustainability. This project contributes to raising public awareness of plastic pollution, encouraging individuals and industries to reconsider their reliance on disposable plastics and take action for a greener future.
Inspiration
Plastic Heart was inspired by the impact of plastic pollution on ecosystems. The plastic we use daily threatens all living beings, from wildlife to marine life, and even the Earth itself. Yet, the vibrant plastic debris—reminiscent of Christmas ornaments—creates an ironic contrast, making waste visually striking. The heart is ambiguous—it could belong to a human, an animal, or the planet—urging audiences to reflect on sustainability and collective responsibility.
Image Credits
Image: Creator / Video Designer SuKang You (Graduate School of Visual Communication, Hongik University), Plastic Heart, 2024. Video Credits: Creator / Video Designer SuKang You (Graduate School of Visual Communication, Hongik University), Plastic Heart, 2024.
Project Overview
Plastic Heart LED Media Art has been a Bronze winner in the Virtual and Digital Art Installations Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Bronze Recognition
SuKang You was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Plastic Heart LED Media Art.
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