Two insect exhibitions, ‘Bugs…Outside the Box’ and ‘Wicked Bugs’, make their way to the North Museum February 3 through May 13
The North Museum of Natural History & Science will soon be invaded by a stag beetle the size of a third grader, a butterfly with a five-foot wingspan, and dozens of bugs that have changed history.
The Museum will debut two new traveling exhibitions on First Friday, February 3, 2012. Bugs…Outside the Box features enormous and scientifically accurate insect sculptures by Italian artist Lorenzo Possenti. Magnified up to 20 times their normal size, these gigantic works of art allow visitors to examine intricate details not visible to the naked eye and provide a rarely seen view of these amazing creatures.
Wicked Bugs focuses on insects that have invaded, infested, infected, and generally wreaked havoc on human civilization throughout history, whether painful, deadly, or just downright irritating. The exhibit is based on the New York Times bestseller Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon’s Army and Other Diabolical Insects by Amy Stewart. The exhibition shares the long and complex relationship between man and bug using a selection of hand-tinted prints and insect specimens.
“The giant insects in Bugs…Outside the Box are not just scientific models; they are truly works of art,” says Margie Marino, the Museum’s executive director. “They demonstrate how art can help us better understand science and nature, and provide a new perspective on these frequently overlooked animals.”
Bugs…Outside the Box is one the largest temporary exhibitions the North Museum has ever hosted. To accommodate the 2,500-square-foot show, the Museum is removing temporary walls, aging display cabinets and electrical fixtures in its fluorescent mineral room and Natives of the Susquehanna gallery. The renovations are made possible by generous gifts from Dr. and Mrs. Paul Ripple and Len and Pat Eiserer.
“Investing in our current facility is the best path for the North Museum for the time being,” says Ned E. Wehler, president of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “Franklin & Marshall College, which owns our building, has been tremendously helpful in planning these much-needed improvements. By renovating the galleries we can better serve the community and make way for new exhibits, programs, and services.”
Both exhibitions will run through May 13. In addition to its normal hours, the Museum will remain open for First Fridays, February through May, from 5-7 p.m., with reduced museum admission, refreshments and entertainment.
The Museum will also bring author Amy Stewart to Lancaster February 29 and March 1 for a series of community events. Among them will be the Museum’s annual Eiserer-Hickey Lecture. Stewart will speak on “Wicked Nature” on Thursday, March 1, at 7 p.m. at the Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. Admission to the lecture is free. Copies of Stewart’s books Wicked Bugs and Wicked Plants will be available for purchase. Additional information about Ms. Stewart’s appearances will be posted online at North Museum.
After the bug exhibits leave, the Museum will roll out treasures from the 360,000 objects in its collections, a combination of visitor favorites and hidden gems, including signature items from the Museum’s trademark archeological collection, to fill the renovated gallery space. Artifacts are being selected to give visitors new insights into the North Museum’s collections, and interactive exhibits will encourage visitors to provide feedback to guide the Museum’s future exhibits and programs. Preliminary work has been supported in part by a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
About Bugs…Outside the Box
Bugs…Outside the Box presents a selection of greatly enlarged insect sculptures, each showcasing the beauty hidden within these (mini)beasts of the natural world. Intricate details not visible to the naked eye are showcased alongside educational topics, including an exciting look at museum collections and taxonomy, and an exploration of the power of magnification.
The methods used to create the sculptures are almost as fascinating as the models themselves. Lorenzo Possenti, Italian artist and entomology enthusiast, created these scientifically accurate works of art using powerful magnification and actual specimens of each animal. With remarkable accuracy, the unexpected artistry and beauty of insects can be fully appreciated without a magnifying glass. [Photos attached]
Students from the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design are assisting North Museum staff in preparing for the exhibition’s arrival. Students from Robert Hochgertl’s illustration class created banners to hang outside the Museum as a course assignment, and four other PCAD students are developing gallery enhancements and will help with the exhibit installation.
About Wicked Bugs
Bugs that invade, infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human civilization are the focus of this exciting exhibition, a companion to bestselling author Amy Stewart’s new book Wicked Bugs: The Louse that Conquered Napoleon’s Army and Other Diabolical Insects (released in May 2011 by Algonquin Books; now a New York Times bestseller). Wicked Bugs sheds light on the extraordinary powers of these six and eight legged creatures in a new way, as beautiful portraits are displayed alongside preserved specimens and fascinating facts to tell their story.
Wicked Bugs also highlights the elegant art created for the book by esteemed artist Briony Morrow-Cribbs. Referencing real insect specimens, Morrow-Cribbs uses a copper etching technique that dates back to Rembrandt to create highly original works of art. This selection of limited edition, hand-tinted prints are presented within sophisticated shadowbox displays, alongside factual information, 3-D objects, and insect specimens.
About North Museum of Natural History & Science
Close to downtown Lancaster, the North Museum of Natural History & Science features extensive collections and hands-on exhibits that engage the minds of children of all ages. The North Museum is located at 400 College Avenue in Lancaster, and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. Admission to the Museum is $7.50 for adults, and $6.50 for juniors (ages 3-17) and seniors (65 and over). Planetarium shows are an additional $2.50 to the price of admission. The Museum is free for children under three. Schools and other groups are encouraged to schedule trips in advance by calling (717) 291-4371. For more information on the North Museum’s educational exhibits and programs, call (717) 291-3941, visit www.northmuseum.org or follow on Facebook (www.facebook.com/northmuseum) and Twitter (@northmuseum).
