PIxel-Hack
For our submission, I embarked on a creative journey to repurpose second-hand chopsticks into
a visually striking sculpture, embodying both recycling and artistic innovation. This project not
only breathed new life into discarded materials but also explored the intersection of digital
image processing, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Here's how it unfolded:
Conceptualization and Planning
The idea arose from a desire to transform an overlooked, everyday object—second-hand
chopsticks—into something extraordinary. Chopsticks are often used once and discarded,
contributing to unnecessary waste. My partner and I saw an opportunity to upcycle these items
and craft a large-scale image that reflects both creativity and environmental consciousness.
Image Selection and Digital Processing
The process began with choosing a visually impactful image that could be translated into a
physical form using chopsticks as the medium.
To make this transformation feasible, we employed color quantization, a technique that
reduced the complexity of the image from millions of colors to just six distinct shades.
Color quantization
In computer graphics, color quantization or color image quantization is quantization applied to
color spaces; it is a process that reduces the number of distinct colors used in an image, usually
with the intention that the new image should be as visually similar as possible to the original
image. Computer algorithms to perform color quantization on bitmaps have been studied since
the 1970s.[1] Color quantization is critical for displaying images with many colors on devices
that can only display a limited number of colors, usually due to memory limitations, and enables
efficient compression of certain types of images.
Another example:
This technique was crucial for this project, since dealing with more than a few colors would have
become impossibly time consuming.
1. First transformation
Initially I wanted to only go with four colors, but as shown above, this resulted in a very
undetailed image which would have made the sculpture very pixelated.
2. Second transformation
The second transformation was produced great results, with more details but my
algorithm struggle to account for the whole image. Hence as shows above it resulted in
repetitions on the canvas.
After alot of trials and thinking, I finally made it work at an acceptable level (as you can
see there’s still a repetition on the bottom.
After quantization, the image was scaled to match the desired sculpture size, and we determined
that approximately 5,200 individual chopstick pieces would be needed for the project.
Efficient Material Sourcing and Preparation
To gather materials, we reached out to local restaurants and set up collection points for used
chopsticks. Over the course of several weeks, we amassed thousands of chopsticks that would
otherwise have been discarded.
These chopsticks were meticulously cleaned, sorted, and prepared for the sculpture. Using a
custom cutting jig, each chopstick was precisely cut into uniform pieces, ensuring consistency
across the sculpture.
To further streamline the process, we developed a custom algorithm to accurately calculate
the number of chopstick pieces needed for each of the six colors.
As show below, the algorith showed we will need 5419 individual pieces, and it also gave out
what quantity was required for each color. (we however accounted for some error correction and
concluded that just 5200 pieces will be also enough, if we uniformly deduct from each color)
This allowed us to produce only the necessary quantities of each color, avoiding waste and
ensuring a highly efficient execution. After sorting the pieces, we painted them using non-toxic,
environmentally friendly paints, aligning with the project’s sustainable ethos.
Digital Layout: Circle Packing Algorithm
One of the most complex aspects of the project was transforming the two-dimensional digital
image into a three-dimensional sculpture. To achieve this, we implemented a circle packing
algorithm that allowed us to arrange the chopsticks efficiently, with each stick representing a
"pixel" in the quantized image.
This algorithm played a critical role in determining the optimal placement of the chopsticks,
ensuring that the final sculpture retained the integrity of the original image. We wrote custom
code to fine-tune the algorithm and generate a layout that balanced visual clarity with density,
ultimately serving as our blueprint for assembly.
Physical Assembly: Precision and Craftsmanship
With the digital layout as our guide, we moved on to the physical assembly of the sculpture. We
constructed a large, sturdy base capable of supporting the 5,200 chopstick pieces. Each piece
was carefully placed according to the digital blueprint, and eco-friendly adhesive was used to
secure them in place.
This process was meticulous and time-consuming, requiring many hours of dedicated effort to
ensure that each chopstick was perfectly aligned.
Many hours later
Final Touches and Reflection
After the assembly was complete, we applied a light, eco-friendly sealant to protect the colors
and structure. The result was a highly detailed and intricate sculpture, a vibrant representation
of the original image that breathed new life into discarded materials.
Comparison with original image: (the final results creates a beautiful illusion, that you see more
details when you pinch you eyes or when you are far away)
Throughout this process, we documented each step through photos and notes, allowing us to
share our journey with others. Reflecting on the project, we are inspired by how a simple
idea—combined with perseverance, technology, and sustainable practices—can transform waste
into a work of art. This project encourages others to reimagine ordinary objects and explore
creative solutions to environmental challenges, showing how discarded items can become
powerful symbols of innovation and beauty.
The artwork displayed in a public library
More images ( a closer look at color quantization)
Artistic interpretation: the far you are the
more details you see & and when you
almost close your eyes (pinch) you even
see more details - “We need to open our
eyes wide open to see, but sometimes
we need to close our eyes to experience
reality”
Bonus sculpture: we made another
sculpture after mastering our technique,
but we didn’t have enough time to
document all this
