shrine to humankind: a collaboration between insects and humans by vanessa harden from uk

The Shrine to Humankind depicts the unification of mankind, emphasizing the essential equality of human beings and the abolition of prejudice through communal objects, specifically park furniture. This concept uses the common virtues represented in most religions, particularly those of Altruism and respect, and integrates them into a unique manufacturing process for furniture in public space.

The process combines design from humans and detailing from insect colonies. Firstly, a section of the park furniture is installed upside down in the beehive. The bees then busy themselves constructing honeycomb directly onto the surface of the object. Once the bees have manufactured the desired amount of honeycomb detail, the object is then removed from the hive, molded and cast in iron.

Through this collaboration, the products and the process by which they've been made redefine the word “community” to include other creatures as co-inhabitants of Earth. The furniture is designed and fabricated to be used as a meeting point in public spaces, allowing us to recognise and appreciate the communities that form humanity.