# Recycled Ash Sculptures The Wieki Somers ‘Consume or Conserve' Exhibit has Human Ashes By Allison Love | Published 2010-06-15 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wieki-somers-consume-or-conserve References: [notcot.org](http://www.notcot.org/post/31514/) & [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/10256/wieki-somers-consume-or-conserve.html) This Wieki Somers Consume or Conserve exhibit aims to “make a statement about the current state of affairs in design and our conviction that we need a new view on what is necessary in the 21st century.” The actual sculptures are made out of [human remains](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ash-blackwood-ashtray) and show that even in post-life you could become a bird or a toaster. The human ashes Wieki Somers uses are reused by [rapid prototyping and 3D printing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/future-perfect) to create the different sculptures seen above. The Wieki Somers Consumer or Conserve scultptures each have symbolic meaning and “could serve as a tool to contribute to a better way of life.” Photo Credits: ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 32% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sustainable Art:** Creating art from unconventional and sustainable materials is a growing trend in the art world. - **Memorialization Innovations:** Incorporating human remains into art and design is a trend that is redefining traditional memorialization practices. - **3D Printing Applications in Sculpture Making:** The use of 3D printing technology in sculpture making is a trend that allows for more intricate and detailed pieces to be created. ### Where This Applies - **Art:** The art industry has an opportunity to explore more sustainable and unconventional materials in their artwork. - **Memorialization Services:** The memorialization services industry has an opportunity to offer unique and personalized options for individuals looking to commemorate their loved ones. - **3D Printing:** The 3D printing industry has an opportunity to collaborate with artists and designers in creating unique and intricate pieces of art. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Commemorative Urn Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/commemorative-urn.md) - [Upcycled Object Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nendo-and-daniel-arsham.md) - [Expandable Spherical Monolithic Urns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urna-project.md) - [Human Hair-Made Pots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/range-of-pots.md) - [3D-Printed Ecological Funeral Reefs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resting-reefs.md) - [Sculptor-Inspired Sleek Bowl Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shou-sugi-ban-collection.md) - [Resurrected Used Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-afterlife.md) - [Coffee Grounds-Made Home Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-grounds-as-material.md) - [Upcycled Sculptural Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eps-expanded-polystyrene-serie.md)