University of Texas at Austin

Consume Our Consumption

overall winner

Anya Koehne, Annan Zuo

Consume Our Consumption harnesses the ability of the gut microbiome of Zophobas morio, which contains microbes with the novel ability to depolymerize and degrade plastics. The team cultured frass samples from these organisms to isolate, identify, and amplify the bacteria capable of consuming plastic waste. Inspired by Zophobas morio's ability to digest plastic, the team developed a speculative medicinal product named "Plascetamol," a probiotic containing microbes capable of depolymerizing plastics, enabling both animals and humans to consume plastic and reduce plastic pollution. By linking eating (consuming) with plastic (consumption), this project envisions a dystopian future where plastic waste is perpetually recycled through ingestion, creating an endless loop of consumption, recycling, and production.

Jiabao Li creates works addressing climate change, interspecies co-creation, humane technology, and perceptions. Her mediums include wearable, robot, AR/VR, projection, performance, software, installation. In Jiabao’s TED Talk, she uncovered how technology mediates the way we perceive reality. Jiabao is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Austin. Her lab explores the intersection of art, design, technology, and biology. She graduated from Harvard GSD with a Master of Design in Technology with Distinction and thesis award. Jiabao is the recipient of numerous awards, including iF Design Award, AACYF 30 Under 30, and Falling Walls. Her work has been exhibited internationally at Ars Electronica, Today Art Museum Biennial, SIGGRAPH, Milan and Dubai Design Week, and more, and has been featured on publications such as Fast Company, Art Forum, Business Insider, and Bloomberg.