Why Create Models of Insects?
Insects and spiders – yuck!
That's how many people react when you mention these creatures.
The most successful of all animal groups has been judged, very unfairly, by the few "harmful" ones.
Most humans are not aware of and seldom appreciate the amazing ways of life, beautiful shapes and colours, and huge importance of these creatures.
Do you know what a mosquito looks like?
Insects and spiders are often very small and difficult to observe with the naked eye.
Who actually knows exactly what an ant or a mosquito looks like?
Even though these are the little creatures we are surrounded by every day.
I have made it my job to recreate these fascinating creatures many times larger than life and faithful to the original.
Museum visitors should have the opportunity to take an all-round look at a mosquito, for example, that has been enlarged 100x.
First delight, then instructKarl Friedrich Schinkel
Aesthetics and dramatic composition as bait
My models should enable museum visitors to see the world of insects and spiders in a new light and, ideally, make it clear that these creatures are worth protecting.
Especially with the rather unpopular arthropods, the manner of presentation is a crucial tool for attracting the interest of the museum visitor and touching their emotions.
An aesthetic presentation, coupled with an appealing dramatic composition will attract the viewer to the cabinet, arouse their curiosity and make them more prepared to get to grips with the creature on display, its way of life and its importance in the ecosystem.
What is particularly attractive is creating scenarios that tell little stories from the lives of arthropods.
That could be the last tenth of a second of a cockchafter before it flies away or the moment when spiders are mating just before the female kills the male.
As well as scientific accuracy, the special challenge of this enactment lies in capturing and depicting the movement and suspense of this moment.
What is also important for a successful presentation is the type of lighting which is used by the display, sometimes diffuse, sometime accentuating.