> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.protein.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Contemporary Vanitas
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/contemporary-vanitas/
- Published: 2012-04-18T20:04:01.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-28T11:02:42.000Z
- Description: For his Master's thesis at the Design Academy of Eindhoven Thomas Vailly has created 'Contemporary Vanitas', a bioplastic using glycerin, sodium sulfite and human hair.
- Author: Protein
- Tags: Seeds, Art & Design, Technology, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:15, #author-change-2025-05-28

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/4095/e5e395df-ff1b-4f27-9528-c2cee9042134.jpg)

For his Master's thesis at the [Design Academy of Eindhoven](http://www.designacademy.nl/?ref=protein.xyz), [Thomas Vailly](http://www.vailly.com/?ref=protein.xyz) has created 'Contemporary Vanitas', a bioplastic using glycerin, sodium sulfite and human hair. When all the elements are combined the human hair melts into flexible (and biodegrable) plastic that can be moulded into a variety of shapes - see the amusing 'work-flow' that accompanies Vailly's show. Contemporary Vanitas is showing as part of Ventura Lambrate during [Milan Design Week](http://www.cosmit.it/it/?ref=protein.xyz).

Vailly says his objects reflect on the unrealistic mindset of our society towards ideas of vanity and mortality, and comments man's fragile condition and transient existence. Economically and ecologically feasible; the biggest hurdle now is how consumers might find the idea of using objects made from human hair.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/4095/97568cfe-fc6c-4903-84d0-7121ebb17ec4.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/4095/af4ff2a3-67b6-4de9-aa89-edc8e0235111.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/4095/2fc9ef1b-b186-4457-83b9-8b35bae7f7f6.jpg)