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Kylie Knott

Conversations about the animals people keep typically involve dogs, cats, fish and, at a push, maybe iguanas.
Los Angeles-based artist Dylan DeRose has worms - half a million of them.
“I raise them in ideal conditions, in temperature-controlled compartments hidden behind my studio walls,” he said.
“It’s like a family, a community. They eat, they breed.”
They also get creative.

DeRose harnesses the tunnel-making power of worms to form sculptures that make viewers question the relationship between organic forms and rigid structures.
Now, Hongkongers can see them for themselves.
Nine of DeRose’s works are on show in “Order of Operations” at the Property Holdings Development Group (PHD Group) gallery in Causeway Bay until January 21.
Environmentalists might want to attend.

DeRose works with a species of worm called zophobas morio, also known as giant mealworms or superworms.
Their superpower? They eat polystyrene, the plastic green activists love to hate which is used in everything from takeaway lunchboxes to the balls in bean bags.
The non-biodegradable polymer hurts birds and marine animals who often mistake it for food.
However, earlier this year researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia found enzymes in the gut of superworms which degrade polystyrene.
‘A bit extreme’: woman wraps herself in bag to eat a banana, sparks conversation
“When I heard how this species had been hailed as the future in recycling I definitely had more respect for them,” said DeRose.
“There’s a lot of dialogue about worms and insects at large being able to limit environmental damage…I’m definitely interested in exploring that.”
Insects have also been hailed as an eco-friendly food source. Rich in protein, vitamins and amino acids, they leave a small environmental footprint, requiring less land and water to rear than larger animals.
DeRose, who lived in Hong Kong for five years, is back in the city to set up the exhibition.

His creative process is not one for the impatient. The works on show took a year to complete.
Each piece comprises smaller separate cubes of polystyrene.
“The cubes are put in feeding trays and the worms kind of do their business of building tunnels and chambers.”
DeRose then assembles the cubes into a larger piece and paints it to resemble stone.
“Initially I tried to guide the worms in certain directions, enticing them with cloves and other scents and pheromones that they are attracted to,” he said, adding that he eventually gave up and the worms paved their own path.
“At what point does my hand go into controlling something that’s organic?” said DeRose, adding that no worms are harmed in the process.

As inspiration, DeRose looked to Victorian-era home ornamentation which resembled surfaces eaten away by worms.
Florida also shaped his work. “Growing up in the city of Orlando - in the shadow of Disney - is an interesting environment.”
Disney World, the sprawling 100 sq km of theme parks, hotels and Mickey Mouse merchandise, is in the US state’s capital.
“Its architecture and urban planning are dependent upon this ethos of fantasy,” he said. “I’m doing the same with my art - it’s become this kind of superficial terrain.”


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Superworms with planet-saving, plastic munching power to threaten much-loved Hong Kong lunchbox form integral part of city art exhibit

A new Hong Kong art exhibition reveals the creative sculpting power of superworms, which scientists believe can help save the planet. Photo: SCMP composite/handout

DeRose uses a species of worm called zophobas morio, also known as giant mealworms or superworms. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Grotto-leader annex artwork by Dylan DeRose. Photo: Jonathan Wong

For inspiration, DeRose looked to Victorian-era home ornamentation which resembled surfaces eaten away by worms, he says. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Redweb-annex artwork by Dylan DeRose. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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A new mother in China is at the centre of controversy after the hospital she gave birth at revealed the lengths she went to to conceive after suffering 26 miscarriages. Photo: SCMP composite

The infertility rate among Chinese women at childbearing age has surged in recent years. Photo: Getty 

The woman’s identity has not been revealed by the hospital to protect her privacy. Photo: Getty

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‘Our delivery workers send as many as 60 to 70 orders a day per person. It’s normal that they are too busy to have meals’, says Zhang’s manager. Photo: Getty

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‘An idea popped into my mind that there are many plastic bags at home, the colour of which is similar to those of my daughter’s ceremonial dresses. Why not hand-make some dresses for her,’ says Qi. Photo: The Paper

China has been trying to reduce plastic waste in recent years, however, it has made limited progress due to poor implementation of national policies. Photo: The Paper

China produced 81.8 million tonnes of plastic in 2019, including 15.9 million tonnes of plastic film. Photo: The Paper

Please adopt me! Desperate Chinese zoo receives US$360,000 donation after getting creative to cope with zero-Covid policy by allowing animal ‘adoptions’ to raise funds

China’s zero-Covid policy claims unexpected victims, with one private zoo in the country’s east turning to live streams and animal adoptions to stay afloat. Photo: SCMP composite/Hongshan Forest Zoo

When it was closed, the zoo would do three streams per day, including koalas eating leaves on a tree, wolves sleeping and the zoo’s employees preparing milkshakes for baby monkeys. Photo: Douyin

Another initiative adopted by the zoo has been the opening of a channel for the public to adopt animals by paying up to 2,000 yuan (US$275). Photo: Douyin

‘The most beautiful love’: joy as wheelchair-using couple reveal first child on the way - delighting millions in China

A Chinese couple who captured China’s imagination with their wheelchair wedding dance reveal that their first baby is on the way. Photo: SCMP composite

“We married in our wheelchairs in 2020, and now we’re expecting our baby”, Fan says. Photo: 163.com

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The couple became wheelchair dancing partners in 2018 and since then have won multiple competitions together. Photo: Baidu

The couple at their wedding ceremony making a toast. Photo: Baidu

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People & Culture

Environment


Sculptures display power of plastic-munching superworms which scientists say could tackle scourge of dangerous polymers
Creepy-crawly creativity on show in Hong Kong as US artist harnesses the power of worms



A new Hong Kong art exhibition shows off the creative power of sculpture-making superworms which scientists believe could help save the planet.


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