Catching Fireflies, created in May 2020, speaks to the human desire to collaborate with the natural world in a harmonious and creative way. Although tempting to catching some in a jar like we did when we were kids, capturing video footage of them is far more respectful. Through the editing process I realized how fun it was to play with their rhythm by freezing them in time, slowing them down, reversing, or repeating their actions. This allows the viewer to really see these elusive creatures instead of barely catching a glimpse from our peripheral vision, which is usually the case.
Part of my discovery was that it became a game of chance. Strangely, while sliding the play head back and forth, sometimes I couldn't see glow bugs that I could see during playback! Clearly, it was due to them flashing for a shorter period of time, but even so, it was truly an act of being able catch a firefly before I could work my post-production magic on it! By only manipulating some of the lights it still leaves an element of ethereal surprise and looseness than there would have been if I had controlled all of them.
The keyboard generated “song” is what I imagined we would hear them sound like if we had ultrasonic auditory abilities. Introducing electronic sounds and movements seems fitting for insects designed with the almost futuristic phenomenon of bioluminescence. Scientists have discovered how to harness it into dim light sources. Once they get it bright enough for humans to use, it could be one of our steps away from reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity.
This piece was shown in The Transart (notso) Short Fest at Ely Center of Contemporary Art in New Haven, CT from Dec.7, 2020 - Feb.21, 2021
