Magicicada is an immersive exhibition filled with exquisite ornamental patterns and imaginative vignettes created by artist Jennifer Angus, taking inspiration from the Staten Island Museum’s collection of cicadas — one of the world’s largest.
Using responsibly collected and preserved specimens, Angus has created a site-specific installation with hundreds of insects pinned directly to the gallery walls, creating patterns reminiscent of textiles or wallpaper. The space also includes Victorian-style insect dioramas in antique furniture and bell jars. Through her work, she hopes to motivate viewers to find beauty in unexpected places and understand the importance of insects and other creatures to our world.
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I would like people to think about their own environment and behavior. How is urban and suburban encroachment affecting wildlife in your neighborhood? It is easy to take up the case of larger mammals, birds, and fish, but what about smaller creatures who have an important role in the ecosystem to play?
Jennifer Angus
Jennifer Angus will be giving an in-person Artist Talk in the gallery on Sunday, May 22 at 2pm as part of the installation’s closing reception.
Staten Island Museum is located on the grounds of Snug Harbor at 1000 Richmond Terrace, SI, NY 10301. Open Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm.
To learn more, visit statenislandmuseum.org.
Source: Hyperallergic.com