Hilary Berseth's Bee-Assisted Art
Marissa Liu — September 18, 2009 — Art & Design
References: nymag & acidolatte.blogspot
Artists from Rodin to Warhol to Banksy have famously outsourced the construction of their work. The difference between them and artist Hilary Berseth is that the other artists relied on human help. Beserth’s wax and wire sculptures are constructed in collaboration with a team of small, winged yellow and black artisans. You see, Hilary Berseth toils in the world of bee-assisted art.
Hilary Berseth creates a form made of thin wax sheets that mimic the natural spacing inside a hive. He then places them to hang inside wooden cases and in the spring orders fresh colonies by mail to assist in the artistic process. At the end of the summer, when wax production is easing, Berseth removes the form from its casing--et voila, bee-assisted art!
So how do bees rate as artist assistants? “I knew they were ordered and regimented,” the Pennsylvania artist says, “I had an intuition that I’d be able to organize that, architecturally.” Having said that, bee assisted art isn’t the easiest way to work: “I have been stung a couple of times,” says Hilary Beseth, “And I swell up like a son of a bitch.”
Hilary Berseth creates a form made of thin wax sheets that mimic the natural spacing inside a hive. He then places them to hang inside wooden cases and in the spring orders fresh colonies by mail to assist in the artistic process. At the end of the summer, when wax production is easing, Berseth removes the form from its casing--et voila, bee-assisted art!
So how do bees rate as artist assistants? “I knew they were ordered and regimented,” the Pennsylvania artist says, “I had an intuition that I’d be able to organize that, architecturally.” Having said that, bee assisted art isn’t the easiest way to work: “I have been stung a couple of times,” says Hilary Beseth, “And I swell up like a son of a bitch.”
Trend Themes
1. Bee-assisted Art - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of using bees as artistic collaborators in different mediums and art forms.
2. Outsourcing Artistic Construction - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Investigate the concept of outsourcing the construction of artwork to unconventional sources, such as insects or animals.
3. Collaborative Sculpture Making - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new ways for artists to collaborate with non-human entities or entities from nature to create unique works of art.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Sculpture - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate unconventional materials and processes into art and sculpture creation, pushing the boundaries of traditional artistic practices.
2. Apiary and Beekeeping - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop specialized services or products tailored to support artists who incorporate bees or beekeeping practices into their creative process.
3. Outsourcing and Collaborative Work - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the concept of outsourcing or collaborating with non-human entities in various industries to enhance creativity and efficiency.
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