Ok, not the "fab four".....I mean beetles....insects...the Royal Palace in Brussels is literally covered with them.
The chandeliers, inset panels on the walls and ceiling are covered with beetles that were collected from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesian restaurants ...where they are a delicacy.
In 2002, 1.6 million Thai jewel beetles were glued to the ceiling by Belgian artist Jan Fabre to create Heaven of Delight.
In the spring of 2008, Fabre exhibited other beetle encrusted pieces at the Louvre in Paris.
Beetles have been used for centuries for adornment.
Fabre is not the only artist fascinated with beetles.....
Christopher Marley , an Oregon based artist works with the real thing, he takes specimens of beetles mounting them side by side to make fantastic collages of color and shape.
He collects beetles from all around the world and mounts them into groupings.
The colors and patterns of beetles are art in themselves!
I love the violin beetle's body with it's rich woody shades...
Contemporary artists Connie and Randy Cotita created this custom furniture finish inspired by the beetle. Layers of cool colors and iridescence aged patinas mimic the insect's shells. They even painted one on a cabinet door!
The chiton shells of the beetle have been used in textile adornment for centuries. This incredible work is contemporary by a wonderful textile artist in Texas, Michael Cook.
Well....do you have "beetle-mania" yet? I do! I can add this to collecting lichens, taxidermy and other odd curiosities I find addicting! What odd hobbies or collections do you enjoy?
Here is another wonderful link to the use of the shells in textiles.
