Preserving Natural Beauty
Entomologists gather and collect insect specimens for various purposes. Many entomologists collect specimens for research, others for pleasure. Most hobbyists and entomologists alike appreciate the beauty of insects and collect them to share with the world. A very striking insect to collect is the butterfly. An extremely unique use for butterfly wings is for a medium in art. The wings are recycled because they were in excess or are degraded past displaying quality.The awe-striking colors and patterns of butterfly wings has captured the attention of a new form of art that involves cementing (or gluing) these wings to a canvas or similar structure in fantastic patterns that lead the viewers eye into seeing the world through butterfly wings. Although many artists have been able to utilize wings as a medium, Vadim Zaritsky, has stood above the crowd. The fact that he is an entomologist and an artist allows him a very high access to deceased butterflies. His dedication to insects and humanity shows through his practices as an entomologist and is expressed more fully in his butterfly wing art. Zaritsky is quoted saying " A butterfly lives for just a few weeks while my pictures give people a chance to admire it for many years".
The picture above shows the closeness of the relationship between insects and humans. Every expression and line in this entomologists face is expressed beautifully by butterfly wings. Butterflies dominate the foreground and the background. This entomologist is very comfortable, reclining within the bounty of the butterflies around him. The accuracy in which Zaritsky depicts human nature with only butterfly wings is stunning.
|