A Curious Collaboration With Caddisflies

Photo: Roy Larimer

Nature is a constant inspiration for many artists, and some of the most beautiful art is created when humans collaborate with the natural world.

Photos: Jean-Luc Fournier & Frédéric Delpech

Hubert Duprat began his work with caddisfly larvae in the early 1980s. He collects the larvae from their natural environment and relocates them to his studio. There he gently removes their own natural protective sheaths and puts the larvae in tanks filled with his own materials, from which they build their new homes. By depriving them of other materials, he ensures they use what he provides.

When he began the project, he only offered the caddisfly larvae gold flakes. Since then, they have enjoyed various semi-precious and precious stones, including turquoise, coral and lapis lazuli, as well as sapphires, pearls, rubies, and diamonds.

Photos: Jean-Luc Fournier & Frédéric Delpech

In the film below from the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service, the artist discusses a few of his beautiful sculptures. If you'd like to skip to the caddisfly project, it begins at the 2:40 mark.


"I create situations. I'm a bit like an architect who has builders carry out his work."

Clockwise from top right: Jean-Luc Fournier, H. Del. Olmo, H. Del. Olmo, H. Del. Olmo

I first heard about this from Bug Under Glass, about whom I've written before. For more about Duprat's work with caddisflies, see Cabinet Magazine.

World of Jaspers by Hans Gamma

In case you haven't heard, I love jasper. In fact, I wanted to name our cat Sebastian Jasper, but Sam vetoed the name. My love for this stone goes deep. Ranging in color and pattern, and resembling anything from abstract expressionist paintings to watercolor landscapes, jaspers are some of the most beautiful stones around.

When I came upon Hans Gamma's website documenting the beauty of jasper, I fell in love all over again.

Bug Under Glass by Kevin Clarke

My years of working at the RISD Nature Lab made a huge impression on me. I am drawn to natural history museums, and I've got a small collection of animal skulls at home as well as a growing mineral collection. In my dream house there is a room of built in curio cabinets to house my collection.

Of course, contrary to many pieces of historical taxidermy, I would prefer my collection to be naturally harvested. Enter Bug Under Glass, or B.U.G. (I see what you did there.)