Wreath of Wonder (2025)
I visited the New York Public Library and saw the Treasures exhibition. There were many objects of wonder, however Maria Sibylla Merian’s Branch of West Indian Cherry with Achilles Morpho Butterfly from 1702-03 was particularly impressive. I had studied this piece in the past and did not expect to see in person. I decided to make an animation about a tiger at the library who 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.
This is actually my first text-to-video piece. I usually create my own images and stylize with imaging tools. Here I carved an animation with iterative words. It’s not perfect (I couldn’t get the tiger to eat properly) but noteworthy how an individual can go from seeing an object of inspiration to creating a response over a weekend, a souvenir of its own kind. I wanted to capture a feeling.
There is also potential for art education and interdisciplinary writing classrooms; I estimate my process can be scaffolded over a week’s lesson. Museums should partner with exceptional machine artistry companies and me as an art education technology specialist. Understanding and implementing creativity is a skillset I honed designing curriculum for both professional art education classrooms and museum workshops. My animations are located in my educational philosophy; playfulness & learning real skills.
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 can continue to guide authentic scientific and creative discoveries.
