LITERATURE OF THE INSECTS

A different language is a different vision of life.

Federico Fellini

The literature of the insects follows the same format as the literature of the birds. All the covers of the books have images of leaves so they can conceal themselves in the shrubs and trees.  Rather than have the books removed from their cabinet, a box containing an additional set of copies for interested readers is available.

EUROPEAN HORNET and

CLEARWING HORNET MOTH

This book can be viewed starting from either the front cover or the back cover. The first half of the book features the European hornet.  If approached from the back, the insect addressed is the hornet's mimic, a clearwing moth.  At the center of the book are oscillograms of their voices, which are as similar as the insects' appearance.  Their story is a duet.

The drawings of the insects are done in watercolor and color pencil, reproduced in high quality ink jet using acid free inks and acid free paper.

WATER BOATMAN

The story of the tiny water boatman is quite surprising.  For its body size, it is considered the loudest animal on earth.  

Its image is done in pochoir.  Glitter glue highlights float on the water.

BEES

Since ancient times, bees are among the most common insects to appear in art, poetry, stories and scientific pursuits.  They have had a huge impact on human life because of their activities as pollinators and creators of honey and wax.  

The image of the bee was drawn in ink, reproduced, then highlighted with iridescent acrylic.  The rose, picked in the garden of Stephanie Ruseckas, was drawn with watercolor and color pencil and reproduced in high quality ink jet using acid free inks and paper.

CRICKET

Crickets appear in early Asian poetry and prose and continue to be housed there as pets in tiny cages.  They figure in our myths and legends and their voice is a common part of summer evening songs.

The image of the cricket was done in pochoir on a decorative sheet of paper, printed with metallic gold ink.  

CICADA

The cicada has long been of interest as a symbol of immortality or rebirth.  They are a popular decorative image in many cultures.

The decorative papers printed in gold ink suggest the loud, familiar call of the cicada at the end of summer.  The image of the insect was drawn in watercolor and color pencil, reproduced in high quality ink jet prints, cut out and collaged into the center of the book.

LIBRARY OF THE BIRDS AND INSECTS

Your library is your paradise.

Desiderius Erasmus




This library has no shelves.  Its contents are hung on strings tied to branches in shrubs and trees where they are made available to the birds and the insects.  The books are camouflaged, blending in among the leaves.  Inside, their contents tell stories and poems and songs, written in languages yet to be translated by humans. We can guess at the meanings but there is, as yet, no Rosetta stone for them so they remain essentially a private literature.

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