Insects at the Textile Museum

[vaneramos]

Leaf insects





Brenna studies a collection





A wall covering


One of djjo's Christmas gifts to me and the girls was a family pass to the Textile Museum of Canada to see A Terrible Beauty, an installation of insects in design, showing now until May 14, 2006. This afternoon Danny, Marian, Brenna and I spent two amazing hours perusing this remarkable museum, particularly the bugs. I strongly recommend the exhibit to anyone with an interest in natural history or design. Artist, curator and collector Jennifer Angus, who lives in Wisconsin, has created similar shows around the world. This one took inspiration from textiles. The display, occupying four rooms and incorporating 15,000 insects, elaborates on themes found in Victorian collages and wall coverings. Grasshoppers, cicadas, leaf insects and jewel beetles are prevalent. It might sound gruesome but even Brenna, initially dubious about the excursion, was fascinated once we arrived. Angus's artist biography declares the specimens were only obtained from environmentally reputable dealers. Each room presents a different visual experience, notably a two-storey-high quote from Lewis Carroll made of some 2,600 insects. Also intriguing were six small table displays of antique collection boxes containing insects embossed with words from 19th Century literature. This experience is simply too bizarre and lovely to miss.

Comments

[art-thirst.livejournal.com]

Very kewl stuff! I'd love to see that. :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I thought of you immediately. If you could make it to Toronto, I'd be glad to take you! Otherwise keep an eye on her website. I see she also has current exhibits in NYC and North Dakota.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Sounds fabulous. I wonder if there's any chance of our getting to Toronto before May 14.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That would be terrific! I'd be delighted to meet you, and could offer my services as a tour guide if you wish.

[e-musings.livejournal.com]

I love!! the last picture--your daughter with your knitted hat reflected! Clever and nice!
Happy new Year!

Sometimes we go to Toronto, too. It is only five hours from here.

[trinker.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing those amazing images.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

wow that is some really wild stuff.
I love the symmetry

and the one of Brenna, in reflection, is pure brilliance!

love
Connor

[trinapink.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow! That photo of Brenna is AMAZING!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Make sure to let me know if you ever travel this way. It would be fun to meet for coffee or a museum tour. I can't remember whether I mentioned, but one of my best LJ friends is in Pittsburgh, ghostsandrobots and her husband. It's at the top of my list of places to visit whenever I can budget a little travel money.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I wish I could have taken more photos. You would have liked the geometry of some of the designs. Cameras were allowed, but not flashes, and my camera is no good in low light. I was thrilled that the one of Brenna turned out. Sheer luck.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I'm just seeing it now on djjo's monitor for the first time, and what a surprise. My home monitor is rather dark, so I tend to miss details in my own photographs. I couldn't tell that Brenna was peering at the camera!

Cool!

[e-musings.livejournal.com]

Nope, you haven't mentioned your LJ friend, but if you ever do get to the 'burgh, let me know! I could meet up with you. Pittsburgh is a really great city-lots of neighborhoods, views, and the museums are great.

I will let you know if we venture north--I suspect it would be when it is Much Warmer Weather!