Wreath of Wonder is an animation directed with xAI Grok Imagine. The original concept is inspired by the 1703 botanical book illustration Branch of West Indian Cherry with Achilles Morpho Butterfly by Maria Sibylla in permanent collection at the New York Public Library's Treasures exhibition. In the animation, a tiger at the library jumps through a Christmas wreath portal to the Amazon rainforest and eats not sweet cherries but wiri wiri peppers from the region, a favorite of Guyanese cuisine.
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) Branch of West Indian Cherry with Achilles Morpho Butterfly 1702-03
In the Treasures exhibit you can also see the original Bill of Rights, the largest print created by Albrecht Dürer, the largest book printed The Birds of America by John James Audubon, one of the oldest globes from 1508, a maquette of Lift Every Voice And Sing by Augusta Savage, among many other objects. The mapping of scientific and cultural arts knowledge is astounding. I’m excited about a technological future where these precious treasures and my professional art education expertise and artistry can continue to design authentic scientific and creative discoveries.
Tiger Butterfly, Parchment (2025)
