Microsculpture – The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss
Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh is hosting ‘Microsculpture’ an exhibition of giant insect portraits exposed in microscopic detail. Famed photographer Levon Biss partnered with the Oxford University Museum of Natural History for the project.
Each portrait of an insect is made up of more than 8000 images, all of which focus on a different body area. After the entirety of the insect had been captured the images are “stacked” to produce the final portrait. With support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, RBGE is the first British host of the exhibition in three years.
The portraits are remarkable with each insect shown in such detail that it is clear to see how the colour gradient changes and each individual hair on the insect is on view. The exhibition is not just made up of the portraits however, as beside each image there is information about the species, including its evolution and habitat, as well as a true size outline of the insect presented.
As insect numbers continue to drop the importance of such an exhibition cannot be overstated. By allowing people to see the true beauty and complexity of these creatures the aim is to help increase interest in their preservation.
Until 22 September
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