Linoleum block printed & cut paper hawk moth ©hilarylorenz
Call for Participation! Cut paper and/or printed moths – Deadline July 15, 2017
I was invited to create an installation for the exhibition titled, “Cross Pollination.” Curated by Valerie Roybal, with assistance from Claude Smith and independent curator Aimee Gwynne Franklyn at 516Arts, Albuquerque, NM . Cross Pollination refers to how insects and other creatures pollinate plant life, but also to the cross pollination of ideas in art and science. I want to create an artwork using moths, nocturnal pollinators, as the vehicle for the cross-pollination and systematic exchanges between people.
Anyone from around the world may participate by making paper cut out moths. Moth will be cataloged and attached to gallery walls and ceiling in a giant geographically accurate web. This web will trace the origin location to every participating person. The moths will “fly out” from Brooklyn, NY and “fly” from city to state to country tracing the “migration” pattern of people’s participation.
My goal is to create and attract at least 40,000 moths. The number derives from the number of moths a grizzly bear may eat per day prior to hibernation. What does the grizzly have to do with migration? Probably not a whole lot beyond intercepting the work of the moths by eating them all.
DETAILS
- Color: black, white or grey paper and or/ink – No colour
- Size: No larger than 6″ (15.25cm)and no smaller than 1″ (2.5cm).
- Paper weight can be variable, from about 30g/m to 270g/m.
- Matte paper only please – No Glossy Paper – No “printer paper”
- Species: Any moth of your choosing. I encourage your regional moth.
- Deadline: All moths must arrive by July 15, 2017
- Mediums: Cut paper, Linocut, lithography, Etching, Laser cut, Silkscreen, Letterpress, Drawing, no photograph no digital prints, no computer print outs.
- When in doubt keep image plain and simple
- Documentation: All locations and connections to people will be documented on paper and my website. A text sheet and diagram with all participants will accompany the installation.
- You may make as many or as little moths as you like, but it would be ideal to have at least 5 of the same moth for visual groupings.
- Please print name, city or town, state or province, country and who you found out about the project from. I will trace everyone back to the origin.
- Please fill out this form by clicking here.
- Exhibition dates are August 19 – November 11, 2017 but I need the moths by July 15th in order to photograph and catalog them. Installation begins August 1, 2017.
- Important: Moth shape must be cut out of paper. Please do not send moth with any background image or paper. Just the outside contour as seen in the top image.
- Please share your photos progress and completed moth photos on our FB group page, Moth Migration Project
Fine Print: Due to the volume of expected contributors I am unable to return the moths. All participants will receive a moth postcard in the mail signed by me as a thank you and acknowledgment of their participation. The exhibition will be well documented and all photos will be available from my website. Your contribution will also be noted on my website. There are no fees and no exchange of money involved.
Please email your intention to participate and questions to: mothmigration@gmail.com
You will receive mailing instructions, once you confirm your participation.
Thank you so much for contribution to my project.
Now I must get back to printing.
Again here is the form to fill out.
Simplified detail sketch of idea, actual size will be over 6 walls and 50 linear feet.
Each cut paper installation I do, is build from previous hikes or trail runs from around the world. After running to the top of a particular mountain, I carve it. This keeps me fit, happy, traveling and constantly creating new work. On Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, my exhibition opened to a great crowd. 
Lisa, Amy and Sally all drove up from NYC, and while it is 200 miles, depending on the weather, it can take up to 6 hours to get there, real dedication. Anyhow, they really made my night along with my family who sent flowers and all those who were at the reception including the press which is always exciting.
One year ago I had the great opportunity to make work for 
I am back in Brooklyn teaching this week, but after next Monday’s class, I will pack up the dogs, and head to Sally’s cabin for Thanksgiving Week with plans to be at the Gallery Saturday November 28. so stop on by if you are in the neighborhood or say, 200 miles!
Hilary Lorenz 