Insects and Old Wristwatches Make Beautiful Art Together
No bugs about it! Mike Libby is an artist that creates works of art using insects and antique watch parts.
This all started one day when he found a dead beetle. He got to thinking about how the beetle looked like a mechanical device, so he found an old wristwatch and set out to combine the two. He dissected the beetle and fit it with watch parts, soon creating a sculpture. He continues to explore and experiment with his works of art.
As for where he gets the insects, they usually come from dealers that have high quality specimens from all over the world. He also welcomes people to send in their own insects to be used in a piece.
He charges anywhere from $250 for a bumblebee to $1000 for a grasshopper. He also makes custom pieces, so if you don't see anything you'd like, you just have to ask and he will see what he can do.
Now if only he can get these robotic-like insects to come alive again. New movie idea coming to me....Invasion of the Timex Wasps?
1. Beetles
Buprestidae: Euchroma Gigantea
Jewel Beetle with brass gears and parts.
Dynastidae: Eupatorus Gracilicornis
Rhino beetle with brass gears and parts.
Cetonidae: Fornasinius Russus
Flower Beetle with brass gears and parts.
2. Arachnids
Arachnidae: Nephila Maculata
Spider with brass gears and parts.
Arachnidae: Heterometrus Spinifer
Scorpion with steel and brass gears, parts, springs and faux red gem.
Arachnidae
Tarantula with brass and steel gears and parts.
3. Butterflies
Papilionidae: Papilio Ulysses Ulysses
Butterfly with steel gears, parts and spring.
Papilionidae: Papilio Palinurus Daedalus
Steel gears and parts, tension springs, second hand dial.
Papilionidae: Papilio Dardanus Dardanus
Butterfly with steel gears, parts and spring.
4. Dragonflies
Odanata: Dragonfly
Swamp darner with steel gears and parts.
Odonata:Anax Junius
Dragonfly with brass and steel gears and parts.
Odonata: Dragonfly
Dragonfly with brass and steel gears and parts.
5. Bees & Wasps
Bumblebee
Brass gears and parts, tension spring, second hand dial.
Bumblebee
Brass gears and parts, tension spring, second hand dial.
6. Grasshoppers and Praying Mantis
Orthoptera: Name Unkown
Grasshopper with brass and steel gears, parts and springs.
Orthoptera: Name Unknown
Grasshopper with steel, copper, brass gears, parts and springs.
Mantidae
Praying Mantis with brass and copper gears, parts and springs.
Many thanks to Mike Libby.
by Toby
Wow!
As always, you know how to find 'em! These are brilliant and beautiful.
by Anonymous
Amazingly Bizarre Art!!
Your stuff is simply amazing. I just found your blog and all I can say is wow wow wow. I love seeing cool art but your stuff is just weird, bizarre and great all at the same time.
I can't see what else you come up with.
Staci
by Diana Eid
Thank you
Thanks Staci! I'm glad you like it. Some of the art I find is pretty out there. :)