Brandon Ballengee Interview - Love Motel for Insects

Brandon Ballengee, 2010 Artist in Residence , Sculpture in the Parklands

Since 1996, Ballengee has collaborated with scientists to create hybrid environmental art/ecological research projects. He is directly involved with field study research and uses the visual impact of science to engage the public in a discussion of broader environmental issues. Brandon states "My work attempts to blur the already ambiguous boundaries between environmental art and ecological research". In an interview with art critic and environmental writer John Grande he states, "I believe art can change the way people see the world. Joseph Beuys bathed and swam in bogs to raise awareness about these sensitive ecosystems. Sharing Beuys fondness for mud, my work is created from information, species and other materials collected on field surveys or generated in biology laboratories. By bringing the public along, I try to bridge communities to local eco-systems and the great diversity of life found within them and also the causes of degradation."

During Brandon's residency a large canvas screen was installed into the sculpture park entitled Love Motel for Insects. The installation used ultra violet lights on the enormous blank canvas to attract insects and create an opportunity for public interaction with nocturnal arthropods, which are not often seen. This is an ongoing project that has been installed across the world from tropical rain forests, inner city bus stops, Brownfield sites, Scottish Highlands, German city centres and Venetian boats as part of the Venice Biennial. At each site the insects arrive onto the canvas to reproduce and create pheromone paintings! Members of the public are invited to participate in night walks to the Love Motel installation and Brandon talks about our nocturnal insect friends as well as documents the rich insect biodiversity in the landscape.

---Love Motel for Insects---

2010 Sculpture in the Parklands, Co. Offaly

www.sculptureintheparklands.com

Video: JJ Rolfe

Commissioned by Kevin O'Dwyer, Artistic Director, Sculpture in the Parklands

Funded by Heritage Council and Offaly County Council

Category:

Education

Tags:

• art
• installation
• insects
• ireland
• offaly