Artist makes bugs go like clockwork
DANIEL BATES - Friday, December 29, 2006
Insects are often portrayed as having machine-like properties, but not many have mechanical parts made from recycled circuit boards and discarded watches. But then not many insects get the Mike Libby treatment. The artist grafts mechanical parts on to the bodies of dead insects to make them into decorative machines. He has attached steel axles to dragonflies, coloured lights to butterflies and brass screws to bees. Mr Libby, from South Portland in Maine, has also modified wasps, spider, cicadaes and beetles. He said he came up with the idea when he realised how similar the insides of insects and machines look.
'I came across a dead beetle then located an old wristwatch. After thinking about how much the beetle operated and looked like a mechanical device, I decided to combine the two. After some time dissecting the beetle and fitting it with watch parts and gears, I had a convincing cybernetic sculpture. I have been exploring and developing the theme ever since.'
Mr Libby, who has a degree in sculpture, finds the dead insects himself or orders them from specialist dealers. The parts are recycled from old circuit boards and watches. He has created dozens of the mechanical insects and sells them for up to £200 each. For more information, log on to www.insectlabstudio.com
--------------
excellent
