Skip to main content

Main navigation

  • Visit
  • Exhibitions & Events
  • Art & Design
  • Give
  • Search

Visit Main Menu Block

  • Hours & Admission
  • Accessibility & Amenities
  • Tours & Group Visits
  • Visitor Guidelines

Exhibitions and Events Main Menu Block

  • Exhibitions
  • Events

Art and Design Main Menu Block

  • Collection
  • Collection Research
  • Past Exhibitions
  • Watch / Listen / Read

Footer Main

  • Become a Member
  • Who We Are
  • Opportunities
  • Rent the Museum
Unknown Maker, Indian, Design for a Palanquin. Gift of Catherine and Ralph Benkaim

A Chorus of Chirps, Hums, and Buzzes

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Japanese Print Gallery
May 24 - November 10, 2019
Unknown Maker, Indian, Design for a Palanquin. Gift of Catherine and Ralph Benkaim

Introduction

Insects and arachnids have long captivated artists and designers with their darting movements, hypnotizing songs, and attractive shapes and colors. These small, complex creatures have long been the subjects for a wide range of visual arts across different cultures.

After microscopic observations became possible in the 1600s, entomologists hastened to capture the details of their specimens by producing precise illustrations, some of which are included in this exhibition. These scientific works inspired other artists who adapted them for their own endeavors. Insects also appealed to many designers, who arranged and transformed their shapes and forms into patterns for various mediums.

Represented as well in this exhibition are poetic and comical depictions of insects. The impressions assembled here, some made to accompany verse, are imbued with lyrical overtones, while the anthropomorphic portrayals, layered with satirical undertones, evoke mirth and delight.

Wai Yee Chiong

Assistant Curator, Asian and Islamic Art

RISD Museum

Wai Yee Chiong

Exhibition images

view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image

Related Objects

Jean-Emile Laboureur

The Entomologist (L' Entomologiste)

Mori Shunkei 森春渓

Butterflies (Cho), Edo (Japanese period)

Kitagawa Tsukimaro

Magnolias and Butterfly, Edo Period

Thomas Rowlandson

The Corsican Spider in His Web

Keisai Eisen 渓斎英泉

Grasshopper on Leaf, Edo (Japanese period)
No Image Available

Unknown Maker, Japanese

Textile
  • More objects +

A Chorus of Chirps, Hums, and Buzzes : Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Japanese Print Gallery

May 24 - November 10, 2019
Download Checklist pdf

/

Download

Footer Main

  • Become a Member
  • Who We Are
  • Opportunities
  • Rent the Museum

Footer Main Navigation

  • Visit

    • Hours & Admission
    • Accessibility & Amenities
    • Tours & Group Visits
    • Visitor Guidelines
  • Art & Design

    • Collection Research
    • Collection
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Join / Give

    • Become a Member
    • Give
  • Exhibitions & Events

    • Exhibitions
    • Events
  • Watch / Listen / Read

    • The Latest
    • Publications
    • Articles
    • Audio & Video

Footer Secondary Navigation

  • Who We Are
  • Opportunities
  • Image Request
  • Press Office
  • Rent the Museum
  • Terms of Use
Tickets
Homepage
Go to the risd.edu homepage. This link will open in a new window.