A Clockwork Beetle
Most of us at one time or another, while idly watching an insect make its way in the world, have been struck by the mechanical nature of both its movements and its structure. It's as if this small creature was somehow a clockwork construction, in a class apart from other living things. The discovery of a dead beetle triggered a similar thought in Mike Libby, with the difference that he dissected it and outfitted it with old watch parts and gears. He soon made more with other found insects and has continued to explore this theme in a series of striking sculptures.
His production of the little cybernetic creatures has now reached the point where most of the insects are obtained from scientific dealers, who provide specimens from all around the world. Customers also send specimens of their own, with custom creations ranging up to $1,000 for large, complex constructions. Libby's Insect Lab site provides a good sense of the scope of his work, with everything from bees and butterflies to a majestic praying mantis.
While this conjunction of the natural and the man-made can at first seem jarring, on reflection there's much to be said for work that calls into question the relationship between technology and the natural world. With the long-term impacts of genetic engineering and nanotechnology increasingly being questioned, these mechanical creatures can perhaps play a modest role in keeping us awake to the dangers of tampering with the fundamental elements of life.
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