The Theater of Insects

by Jo Whaley, Deborah Klochko (Contributor), Linda Wiener (Contributor)

Photographer Jo Whaley constructs mesmerizing scenes with vibrantly colored bugs (butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, and more) that echo the tradition of natural history dioramas, but are artfully placed against weathered, manmade backgrounds. The result is a compelling marriage of natural and artificial, art and science. The Theater of Insects will publish to coincide with an exhibition at the National Academy of Sciences and travel to the Museum of Photographic Arts and beyond throughout 2008 and 2009. This volume not only presents a beautiful miniature world, but is also an eminently covetable object in its own right.

Genres: Art

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Theater of Insects is a collection of breathtaking insect photographs. It is definitely worth the read!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous little book. I read it in preparation for a short talk I gave on one of Jo Whaley's photographs, but found myself enthralled by Linda Wiener's essay on the excesses insect mimickry -- especially how Darwinian notions of survival and reproduction do not explain the richness of beauty that insects present. This reminded me a lot of a conversation I heavily eavesdropped in on while on a plane between a passenger and an evangelical who was trying to convert him -- the latter was arguing a similar idea, saying that natural selection couldn't explain the internal human drive to create art. To hear a common argument about the limitations of natural selection from both an evangelical Christian and a scientist committed to Darwin principles is fascinating. Pair that up with Whaley's incredibly evocative photographs and you've got yourself a fun evening lined up.

[Ever · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small, but incredible, book of insect art photography. Very cleverly put-together.