2020-2022

In the project ‘Living lines of the barely noticeable’ the movements of insects are explored through artist-led research.
The project is based upon an experience of seeing the very fast, light, dynamic and almost ghost-like appearance of flying insects. This experience triggered the curiosity to connect to a reality that because of its speed, movement, scale and physicality is very hard to really see and understand.

The research part of the project was conducted at 63 places in Germany where for scientific research for 27 years the biomass of flying insects was measured, the study showed a severe decline in flying insects. For the scientific results, it was important to stop the life and movement of the insects to get the correct data. For the project, the idea of the tension between the life and movement of the flying insects themselves and the ecological problem for which they have become a symbol was explored. The artistic-led research explored ways to translate the living, dynamic, light, volatile, moving world of flying insects into forms that can connect to our human perception. The research led to three artworks that translate the movements in different ways: in a human physical form with dancers, in an installation reflecting light in a visual language of the movements in drawings.

Collaboration with Niels Weijer, choreographer
Collaboration with Anni Lattunen, Akiles, Hannah Schillinger, dancers
Input from Dr Ir Florian Muijres, Wageningen University & Research
Input from Prof dr Hans de Kroon, Radboud University Nijmegen

The project is part of my artistic PhD project at the University of Groningen and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen