Litter Bugs – The Latest Design Story

Litter Bugs: Sounds like the opening line from a Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster. Try to imagine that male husky voice-over in the background!

“Arthropod sub-species of the Insecta class. A creature whose instinctual and physical qualities have adapted so uniquely to the modern urban environment. It has rendered itself. By nature of camouflage. Virtually invisible in its normal habitat.”  

Giving a whole new meaning to scrap is this British artist Mark Oliver. He has created a series of insects called ‘litter bugs’. Brought to life entirely from trash.

Using eyeglass arms for antennae and clock hands for legs. The species were developed in order to adapt. To the harsh & changing urban landscape.   

Upcycled Design: The creatures are part of an invented genus. Affectionately categorized in a document known as the ‘compendium of carabid and terrestrial detritus’. Each one having been given their own title and scientific name. Some based off the found objects they are built from.   

I was enthralled by the divergence amid the elaborate forms with extravagant baroque details. The printed tin sheets from scrap. Almost art deco and nouveau-esque. The modern, blemished & patinated metal scrap adds a downright unusual lure to these objets d’art!

Do not miss the quip in the scientific classification of the bugs.

Classic!  

Images via {cargocollective}