THE INCREDIBLE EVOLUTION & ART OF BUGS NOW

Evolution is a bit like recycling -- taking something that exists and altering it to create something new. Bugs evolved from sea creatures about 480 million years ago. But today, they are evolving into works of art.

MIKE LIBBY -- INSECT LAB

Artist Mike Libby is the founder of Insect Lab, a studio that customizes preserved insect and crustacean specimens with antique watch parts and mechanical components.

From ladybugs to grasshoppers to crabs, Libby sees similarities between them and machines, seeing similar shapes and movements.

“Robot-like insects and insect-like robots are the stuff of science fiction and science fact,” explains Libby. He points out that often in science fiction, insects are frequently featured as robotic critters. There are many examples in TV, movies, videogames, and comic books.  

“From Cronos to The Golden Compass, the insect/robot archetype has been used, reused and re-imagined countless times,” he says. In fact, engineers sometimes mimic insect movement and design as they create new technologies.

Libby collects non-endangered high quality insect specimens from licensed dealers sourcing from Africa, China, New Guinea, Brazil, Texas, and other buggy places. Sometimes, Libby finds his own odd bumble bee or dragonfly for inspiration.

Libby then adds parts from antique pocket watches, wristwatches, electrical components, sewing machines, typewriters, and other old mechanical devices.  

These magnificent insect sculptures are displayed either in archival shadow boxes or glass domes with a walnut base.

You can purchase Libby’s works here.

EDOUARD MARTINET

French artist Edouard Martinet reimagines insects and sea creatures as carefully amalgamated recycled machine parts.

Martinet’s bug sculptures have a retro look, as if they were reincarnations of 57 Chevys or I Love Lucy era appliances.

Many of the materials come from flea markets or car part aftermarkets. Martinet collects then assembles them into graceful intricate insects.

Each one of Martinet’s sculptures can take from 1 month to his longest project range of seventeen years.

Nothing is soldered! Every little piece is mechanically attached, usually with metal screws.

With an air of steampunk, a whiff of mad scientist, and a dash of magic, Martinet’s sculptures are funky, elegant, and very cool.

Read more about Beautiful Evolution, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including The Beautiful Evolution Of Mimicry Now, Check Out Evolution’s New Tree of Life and Honoring the Beautiful Evolution of Taste Now.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Mike Libby, of Insect Lab.
2. Image: by Mike Libby, of Insect Lab. Rutelida: Plusiotis Beyeri.
3. Image: by Mike Libby, of Insect Lab. Hymenoptera: Bombus Pascorum.
4. Image: by Mike Libby, of Insect Lab. Papilionidae: Papilio Blumei. Swallowtail Butterfly.
5. Image: by Mike Libby, of Insect Lab.
6. Image: by Mike Libby, of Insect Lab. Lucanidae: Cyclomattus Elephas Big. Stag Beetle.
7. Image: by Mike Libby, of Insect Lab. Cetonidae: Dicraphaneous Adamsi.
8. Image: by Edouard Martinet. Shrimp.
9. Image: by Edouard Martinet. Grasshopper.
10. Image: by Edouard Martinet. Butterfly.
11. Image: by Edouard Martinet.
12. Image: by Edouard Martinet. Wasp.
13. Image: by Edouard Martinet.
14. Image: by BN App - Download now!
15. Image: by Edouard Martinet. Moth.