Spanning

Spanning is a visual excursion into the concept of nature as designer. Butterflies are morphed into each other so as to explore the deviations and common reference points between species of a particular genus.

The butterfly species represented were chosen primarily for their evocative appeal. Impressions that came to mind: long stretches of road, African prints and cabbalistic scrawlings.

These kind of thoughts were the initial departure point for the work which then headed in a more ordered fashion to explore the deviations and common reference points between species. Form, colour and pattern make both subtle and vast shifts within the bounds of genus.

Often the more startling leaps are made within the one specimen. To this end, where possible, firstly the tops of the butterflies are shown followed by the undersides. In most cases the undersides of the butterflies, which are predominately visible when the butterfly is in flight, are more ornate than the topsides.

Within the film transitions between butterflies are morphed to acutely express the incremental shifts and static leaps in nature’s design.