Scarce City: Redefining What is Enough with 3D Printing is a fusion of art and innovation taking place at the National Gallery, Singapore. Created by digital artist Elizabeth Mak with support from NAMIC, the National innovation center in additive manufacturingthe Scarce City exhibition interweaves artistic expression, technological progress and psychological discourse on climate change. From January 11 to March 30, 2025the experience immerses its audiences in thought-provoking narratives conveyed through resource management games and immersive theater powered by sophisticated 3D printing and body tracking technologies.
Scare City: genesis of an idea
Elizabeth Mak’s artistic journey is rooted in her deep commitment to immersive theater, particularly shaped by her tenure at the Albany Park Theater Project in the United States. Guided by his dedication to community storytelling and solving societal dilemmas, Scarce City emerged as a testament to his creative ambition. Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s metamorphic challenges, the installation reflects the city’s trials in the face of artificial scarcity and the relentless pressure of urban transformation.
In Scarce City, the confluence of interactivity and technology brings the concept to life. By integrating body tracking systems and participatory elements, the exhibition invites participants to step into the shoes of decision-makers, grappling with resource allocation dilemmas that parallel real-world environmental conundrums. This multidimensional approach promotes a space where visitors are not simple spectators but active agents in the story.
Beyond its physical manifestation, scarcity is reframed as a complex psychological construction. The exhibition’s stark visual landscape and sparse resources transport visitors to a realm that compels reflection on the human psyche’s response to limitations, resonating with ongoing global dialogues about sustainable practices and conscious consumption.
The transformative role of 3D printing
In the embryonic stages of Scarce City, traditional manufacturing techniques such as injection molding and vacuum forming were considered. However, the constraints inherent to these methods (cost, waste and limited adaptability) reoriented the team towards 3D printing. This technological pivot unleashed unparalleled design freedom, creating more than 1,700 bespoke components spanning two 10 meter walls.
The centerpiece of the exhibition, a meticulously designed rock façade, embodied both aesthetic and technical challenges. Achieving its sturdy, bright aesthetic required iterative experimentation with various materials. Ultimately, adopting recycled PET filament proved to be practical and environmentally friendly. Each piece has undergone scrupulous calibration to guarantee fidelity to the desired vision.
A pivotal collaboration with Hui Yijian, additive manufacturing engineer at NAMIC Hub@SITbridged the gap between the conceptual art and technical execution of Scarce City. Yijian’s expertise provided the structural basis for Elizabeth Mak’s boundary-pushing designs, facilitating a harmonious synergy between creativity and technical precision.
The creative process involved a meticulous journey from digital schematics to tangible artifacts. Each rock segment, no larger than 25 cm³, was printed, post-processed and manually welded to form a cohesive whole. This complex process highlighted the team’s relentless dedication to achieving a fluid and evocative design.
Sustainability at the heart
Environmental awareness permeates every facet of Scarce City. The decision to use over 200 kilograms of recycled PET filament minimized waste and reinforced the team’s commitment to sustainability. Additionally, the modular construction of the installation ensures its adaptability and reuse for future exhibitions, aligning with the circular design philosophy.
The modular philosophy extends beyond practical considerations, embodying an avant-garde approach to artistic production. By allowing for reconfiguration and reuse, the design highlights a commitment to reducing the ecological footprint while improving the lifespan and versatility of the exhibit.
The path to realization has been strewn with pitfalls, from calibrating 3D printers to resolving the inevitable printing errors inherent in experimental projects. Each obstacle served as a crucible for innovation, a reflection of the resilience and ingenuity at the heart of the project.
An immersive Scarce City odyssey
Scarce City transcends the passive consumption of art, immersing its audience in an experience designed to elicit visceral responses. The interactive components and atmospheric setting forge an emotional connection, compelling visitors to contemplate scarcity, responsibility and coexistence with the planet.
Beyond the Singapore event, Elizabeth Mak envisions Scarce City as a traveling exhibition, extending its profound message to diverse audiences around the world. His aspirations include creating a dedicated 3D printing studio, a creative sanctuary for pushing the boundaries of technology-driven immersive art.
Scarce City is a call to reimagine the interaction between art and technology to address global challenges. It presents a paradigm of meaningful engagement and collective action by merging the imaginative and the innovative.