Job van der Molen (Dutch, 1984). Illustration Design Department (est. 1949). ArtEZ Institute of the Arts, The Netherlands (est. 1949). Insect Army (There’s nothing new under the sun). 2010. Preserved insect, plastic, batteries, glue, paint, metal, dimensions variable. Image courtesy of the designer
Insect Army (Job van der Molen)
From the curators: In preparation for “unforeseen enemy attacks,” Dutch artist Job van der Molen has gradually created his own private insect militia, complete with laser guns, missile racks, and rocket launchers. A practitioner of the delicate process of taxidermy, Molen has weaponized a range of tiny insects, transforming them into six-legged war machines. In one case, a microscopic bazooka is fused onto the back of a bumblebee, augmenting its traditional weapon, its sting. These insect Frankensteins represent a clash and convergence of technology and biology, resurrected as fearsome enemy combatants posed in active attack positions. In some cases, van der Molen even went so far as to adorn the weapons with insignia and symbolism traditional to military culture. It’s a terrifying army of beetle tanks, bazooka-bees, and dragon-copters.
Jad Abumrad has decided to respond to Job van der Molen’s work with one of his incomparable sound pieces, composed from carefully culled and synthesized sounds made by bees. Click below to hear it now.
Jad Abumrad (b. 1973). Bees’ Revenge. November, 2013. Sounds generated from a natural recording of bees. All rights courtesy of the artist
Job van der Molen (Dutch, 1984). Illustration Design Department (est. 1949). ArtEZ Institute of the Arts, The Netherlands (est. 1949). Insect Army (There’s nothing new under the sun). 2010. Preserved insect, plastic, batteries, glue, paint, metal, dimensions variable. Image courtesy of the designer
Job van der Molen (Dutch, 1984). Illustration Design Department (est. 1949). ArtEZ Institute of the Arts, The Netherlands (est. 1949). Insect Army (There’s nothing new under the sun). 2010. Preserved insect, plastic, batteries, glue, paint, metal, dimensions variable. Image courtesy of the designer
February 21, 2014, 1:34 pm
Aldert van der Molen
pride
First of all ,I am very proud of my son’s work as an artist. Next to this project he is an much asked illustrator of articles and books. Within a few years he made himself known as a truely free thinker and spectator of reality. More evidence you will find on his webside: jobvandermolen.nl
As to your question: i think that next to lasers an chemicals, these creatures will be used into human conflicts. Without beeing seen they are able to cross many borders, flying great distances an d cannot be catched. On the positive side , they of eminent importance for growing food worldwide.