Ori Orisun Merhav’s Glowing Amber Sculptures Use Insect-Produced Natural Polymer for Multispecies Design

Designer Ori Orisun Merhav is exploring a future of multispecies design, where biological processes inform how we manufacture and inhabit the world. Merhav’s latest work features glowing amber sculptures that begin with a natural polymer produced by tiny insects—specifically, lac bugs, which secrete a resinous substance known as shellac. This material, traditionally used in varnishes and food coatings, is transformed into sculptural forms that emit a warm, luminous glow. By harnessing a naturally occurring, renewable resource, Merhav challenges conventional industrial materials and processes. The project highlights the potential of working alongside other species to create objects that are both functional and poetic. Merhav’s approach suggests a shift from extractive manufacturing to regenerative, bio-integrated practices. As designers increasingly look to nature for solutions, these sculptures serve as a tangible example of how insect-derived materials can be elevated into art and design. The work invites viewers to reconsider the boundaries between the natural and the made, and to imagine a built environment that is more symbiotic with the living world. Ultimately, Merhav’s glowing amber pieces point toward a future where design is not just inspired by nature, but actively co-created with it.