Plastic Heart LED 미디어 아트 설치 by SuKang You

Plastic Heart LED 미디어 아트 설치 by SuKang You is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 동상 in 가상 및 디지털 아트 설치 디자인 Competition Category.

동디지털 설치· 2025

Plastic Heart LED 미디어 아트 설치

by SuKang You

Client: SuKang You (Hongik University)

A' Design Award 동상 Winner in 디지털 설치 Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Plastic Heart LED 미디어 아트 설치

플라스틱 하트는 플라스틱 폐기물이 초래한 환경 위기를 시각화한 공공 LED 미디어 아트 설치 작품이다. 이 작품은 형형색색의 플라스틱 잔해로 쌓아 올린 심장의 형태를 하고 있으며, 살아 있는 장기처럼 일정한 리듬으로 고동친다. 3차원 비주얼 제작에는 생성형 인공지능과 뉴럴 래디언스 필드 기술이 활용되었고, 디지털 합성과 모션 후반 작업을 통해 완성도를 높였다. 영상은 대형 공공 디스플레이를 위해 열네 가지 화면 규격으로 제작되었다. 이 심장은 인간의 것일 수도, 동물의 것일 수도, 혹은 지구의 것일 수도 있다.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 동상

Plastic Heart LED 미디어 아트 설치, 이 작품은 A' Design Award 동상 수상작으로, 창의성, 독창성, 영민함으로 돋보이는 뛰어난 디자인에 수여되는 높은 권위의 인정입니다. 동상 수상작은 충분히 숙련되고 인상적으로 창의적인 작품으로, 디자이너의 폭넓은 경험, 상상력, 기지를 입증합니다. Plastic Heart LED 미디어 아트 설치, 이 작품은 높이 평가받고 감탄과 사랑을 받는 사물로서 두드러지게 전문적이고 혁신적일 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 동상 수상 디자인은 예술, 과학, 디자인, 기술의 모범 사례를 담고 있으며 세부에 대한 주의로 훌륭합니다. Plastic Heart LED 미디어 아트 설치, 이 작품은 필요를 훌륭하게 충족하고 욕망에 닿으며 감정을 매료하고 호기심을 불러일으킵니다.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
Dimensions & Packaging: Plastic Heart is a public LED media installation designed for public spaces. The project was exhibited at COEX Mall in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea, displayed on a 4224mm (W) × 1944mm (H) anamorphic LED screen. It was adapted for 14 different screen formats, ensuring compatibility across diverse public display environments. The video was created with high-resolution techniques to maintain visual clarity on large-scale digital displays.
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.
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.
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.
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.