I am blown away by all the amazing stories, offers, suggestions and people committed to participating in my Moth Migration Project to be exhibition at 516Arts, Albuquerque, NM, August 19 – October 28, 2017. My goal is 40,000 moths from around the world. In three days over 250 people from the Australia, Africa, Canada, Europe,  Korea, Latvia, New Zealand, the UK and the US have committed to the project. It is happening so fast and I am beginning to put everyone into a data base to track the project.

There are “Moth Ambassadors”  in several countries. An Ambassador engages their family, friends,  colleagues, studio mates and print collectives  to either come together to make moths or make them on their own. They will then be shipped together and I will pay the shipping costs particularly when it is from a country that the cost of shipping could prohibit their participation. It is first come first served.

FAQ:

Can I use color? No, these should just be black, white or grey. If the paper is off-white, tan or a lighter brown that is fine. You can see in my dry point and linocut moths different color papers.

Do they need to be detailed? No, they could be as simple as a cut shape and no detail what so ever. That is up to you.

Can I get non-artists to join? Of course, everyone is welcome.

Do they need to be printed?  Absolutely not, they could be simply cut or drawn. But no photography please.

Can I make any size moth? The moths should be 1″ (2.54cm) to 6″ (15cm). A little over or under is fine, but they should fall in that area. If you are really keen on making a giant one, please email me your idea and we can discuss. mothmigration@gmail.com

Do you want them cut out? Yes, please the moths should be cut out so that I receive the moth shape, not a rectangle of the paper. They will be attached directly to the wall so they look like they are flying.

How are they being shown? I am cataloging the location of every participant. I will make a diagram mapping where each person is from. I will attach the moths to the gallery walls with museum putty in lines connecting people together. For example. I will have a number of moths from Brooklyn, my home. If a person in Australia learned of the project from me, the moths will be attached to the wall in a direct line to Australia.  If the person in Australia learns of the project from someone in the UK who got it from a friend in Canada who got it from me. Then the line of moths will “migrate” from Brooklyn to Canada, then the UK and on the Australia. It is going to take some serious logistical planning.

Can I make moths from my region? Yes, you can make the moth of your choosing.

What do I get? At the completion of the project I will design and print postcards that will be hand signed and mailed to every single participant.

Do I get my moths back? Unfortunately no. But the moths will be carefully preserved and cared for! I would like for this exhibition to tour internationally.

Deadline: All moths must be received by July 15, 2017. Mailing information will be given when you state your intention to participate by email mothmigration@gmail.com

Please tell me your town and country so I can get started on collecting that data.

This is going to be amazing!