TRANSCENDING INSECTS
(This is semi-concept, project not yet finished)
Insects are small and often overseen creatures, even so they play an important role in the maintenance of nature and balance our ecosystems. Of all the animals on the planet the insect has the largest biomass and more than 900 thousands known living species. A large fraction of insects consist of pollinators, not to forget that they are also key for composting waste into new nutrients, therefore keeping the cycle of life going. Their small bodies amount to huge work in the natural world.
With this project I want to convey the importance of insects, but also their mystique and show off their wondrous bodies in another light. In order to bring insect mythology back into light, whilst also experimenting with mounting techniques for entomology. By putting them on a pedestal, I’m showing off their beauty, their importance and thereupon creating their symbolic figure in this world.
The creation of each insect's symbolic meaning comes from looking at their shape and colors, this forms a guideline for determining their posture and gestures. Consulting color theories, for the symbolism of certain colors and their combinations, combining this with the elemental shapes that make up the insect-body, is what was used to set a base for the mood an theme of each individual.
Seeing a resemblance in insects, being hexapods, and the many deities of Hinduism being depicted with multiple limbs, is what sparked a research into the messages being conveyed by such hand-limb combinations and body language, what is also called ‘mudra’. The ways in which the hand, in combination with the position of the fingers, is posed can convey a range of different messages. The bridging symbolism of mudra, color theories and elemental meaning together resulted in tarot-like combinations regarding the depictions of each insect. Making them into harbingers, mentors and the like. Knowing that insects are no strangers in mythology; their mystic, alienesque bodies and lifestyles make for many superstitions through culture. The Egyptian scarab god, Khepri, probably being the most well known insect-to-god link.
Even though taxidermy has various styles for the preparation of the animals, ranging from the old classical naturalistic views to more creative styles. Modern entomology still sticks to scientific preparation, where each insect can be best observed. These preparations are neither naturalistic or creative, rather a static spreading of each limb and body part so their are easy to identify. This project is an endeavor for creative entomology and my personal love for these beings, transcending them onto their personal thrones.
