2024 Hybrid Body Lab Artist-in-Residence Project Series 

This series of projects are from Hybrid Body Lab Artist-in-Residence 2024 created by nail and tattoo artist duo Cyshimi and Ikaro Cavalcante.

MEMORY NAIL

 A tattoo machine integrated into a nail, enabling the direct application of tattoos onto the skin’s surface. Tattoos serve as a medium for marking the present and creating memories. This project reimagines the process of tattooing through an innovative approach transcending traditional tools. The design draws inspiration from the traditional elegance of feather pens, while the motor cover introduces contrast through a contemporary, studded texture.

Gossip nail

A microphone nail and speaker ring that serve as communication devices with a playful twist. Inspired by microphone covers and face-mounted microphones, this project features a microphone embedded into a nail and a speaker embedded in a ring. The two pieces are designed to function either together or independently—from a nail that elevates performances and presentations to a ring that enriches the experience of listening to music.

Xtreme Long pH Sensing Nail

Extremely long nails that change color according to pH. Inspired by the Guinness World Record holders for the longest nails, these extraordinarily long nails, measuring approximately xx inches, feature a color-changing property. The nails respond to changes in pH levels, shifting from pink hues in acidic solutions to blue hues in alkaline solutions.

Nightlife Warrior

An interactive, three-tiered necklace that draws people in closer. Based on Victorian military uniforms, this project re-envisions the breasted military jacket as a necklace. Located discreetly behind the buttons, a proximity sensor activates a gradual illumination and flickering effect in the buttons as individuals approach. The closer an individual gets, the brighter and more intense the flickering becomes. This project was created using the on-skin prototyping toolkit SkinLink from Hybrid Body Lab.

LASER NAIL

Nails elongated with lasers for pointing with style. Each nail is seamlessly integrated with a red laser, seemingly extending the length of the nails beyond the nail structures themselves. This project combines bold aesthetics with precision, striking a balance between function and flair. The sharp, pointy nail design deliberately reflects the project’s purpose to enable precise pointing.

Acknowledgments

This project is from Hybrid Body Lab Artist-in-Residence 2024. This residency is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Project Credits:
Artist: Viviane Lee (Cyshimi) and Ikaro Cavalcante (Hybrid Body Lab 2023 Artist-in-Residence) 
Researchers in collaboration: Jingwen Zhu, Pin-Sung Ku, Arden Van Hollebeke, Samantha Chang, Megan Wu, Prof. Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao (Lab Director)
Hybrid Body Lab at Cornell University

Photo Credits:
Photographers: Margaret Tsai, Ikaro Cavalcante
Models: Ikaro Cavalcante, Viviane Lee (Cyshimi), Meghana, Praveen, Kitty Zhang, Jaden Jaynes Demarest

Press Inquiries:
Press Image Kit: Available Upon Request (License: CC by-NC-SA 4.0)
Press Contact: Prof. Dr. Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao, cindykao@cornell.edu