Bugs and such

and how humans have related to them over time.

Jan 23

I never take time out of my workday to visit a museum. Here’s why:

Earlier this month I decided to go wild and visit the Rijksmuseum - on a Friday! It came at a cost.

It appears that when I don’t take any children to a museum, I can trust my brain to have a temper tantrum. It manifested in a migraine attack that lasted about four times as long as the actual visit, but I’m glad I went.

This exhibition was titled: ‘Onderkruipsels’. I can’t think of an English translation, but it would be the type of critters that crawl and skitter around in the soil: snakes, lizards, toads, bugs, worms, flies…

In medieval times, these animals were thought to just appear out of dead material. They were associated with death, sin, hell... bad stuff.

Around 1600, artists started paying attention to bugs and such. Shortly after, scientists joined them.

Slowly, western society grew an appreciation for these critters. Rich people started collecting - preferably exotic - animals in formaldehyde.

It’s not until recently that we’re growing more and more aware of our dependency on even the smallest of creatures.

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I decided to treat myself to a souvenir in the museum shop. I have an inspiration wall in my studio that now has these amazing pieces by studio Roof.

I plan to do this more often, both a museum visit and getting something for my wall (even if it’s just a postcard). Next time, I’ll bring my coffee in the hopes it was the caffeine withdrawal that made my head explode.

Next one on my list is the Allard Pierson museum that currently exhibits a selection of work by cartoonist Gerrit de Jager.

Have you seen anything cool in a museum lately? Let me know in the comments!