insect art
March 15, 2022 9:20 AM Subscribe
Insects in Art "Throughout history and across many cultures, insects have inspired artists and artisans. Moth larvae, bees and beetles have provided silk, wax, dyes and other art media. Some insects leave traces on their environment that artists capture, while others in effect become collaborators as their natural behaviors are incorporated into art."
botw. nice.
posted by j_curiouser at 10:06 AM on March 15, 2022
posted by j_curiouser at 10:06 AM on March 15, 2022
Lovely article. I came in to see if the author had included the caddis house art (which I think I learned about here). Yes indeedy.
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:12 AM on March 15, 2022
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:12 AM on March 15, 2022
Insects are beautiful.
I can't get into something that doesn't care if they're killed or commoditized in order to make a large homogeneous surface or interesting patterns or mandala. This isn't celebrating anything that really comes from how they are different from us or how they relate to the world differently; it's using them as a new source of components for things we already know we like. It's not honoring them.
Even if you see one specimen close up - wouldn't she have been just as beautiful crawling around under some leaves in the forest? Can't we make it possible, now, with the mixed blessing / double-edged sword that is technology, at least to enjoy them without killing them?
Sometimes killing is necessary. Maybe not this time.
posted by amtho at 12:00 PM on March 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
I can't get into something that doesn't care if they're killed or commoditized in order to make a large homogeneous surface or interesting patterns or mandala. This isn't celebrating anything that really comes from how they are different from us or how they relate to the world differently; it's using them as a new source of components for things we already know we like. It's not honoring them.
Even if you see one specimen close up - wouldn't she have been just as beautiful crawling around under some leaves in the forest? Can't we make it possible, now, with the mixed blessing / double-edged sword that is technology, at least to enjoy them without killing them?
Sometimes killing is necessary. Maybe not this time.
posted by amtho at 12:00 PM on March 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Although I now regret catching swallowtail butterflies as I did as a not knowing better child and then putting them in a peanut butter jar only to let them go later, worse for the wear. There is one thing I will never forget: the scent they left in those jars. It was so heavy, sweet and complex. It smelt of flowers, musk, spice and the color purple to me. I will never forget it.
posted by y2karl at 12:15 PM on March 15, 2022
posted by y2karl at 12:15 PM on March 15, 2022
I wanna have a nebulous epiphany in which I know that something will be the core of my existence.
Also I like casts of ant tenements. Cool that the fellow in question likes to wait uh forever to do them without slaughtering the colony in molten fury. UNLIKE SOME
posted by BlunderingArtist at 4:59 PM on March 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also I like casts of ant tenements. Cool that the fellow in question likes to wait uh forever to do them without slaughtering the colony in molten fury. UNLIKE SOME
posted by BlunderingArtist at 4:59 PM on March 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by Brian B. at 9:42 AM on March 15, 2022