Time Flies
Time Flies
In the relentless whirlwind of our daily lives, the fragility of existence often slips through our fingers like fine grains of sand. We rarely contemplate that each passing day might be our last, or that every interaction holds the potential to be our final connection with another soul. It is within this chaotic pace that my piece, "Time Flies," emerges, a reminder of life's impermanence and the enduring concept of memento mori. This framed work, is a delicate composition, featuring two preserved blue Morpho butterflies in union with the relentless flow of time. Their ethereal beauty, juxtaposed with the ceaseless movement of the clock's hands, mirrors the constant dance of life and death. The numbers and hands of the clock are meticulously cut from the wings of the butterflies, fusing nature's wonders with the man-made construct of time. The accompanying video, a stop-motion recording of an entire 24-hour clock cycle, echoes the relentless march of time. However, it is essential to emphasize that despite the altered perception of time in the video, the artwork itself is firmly grounded in reality. The clock, made from real butterflies, hangs on the gallery wall keeping real time - a tangible piece of art with the power to make us reflect on our transient existence. The video however offers a unique power: the ability to pause, fast forward, and rewind. If only life granted us these controls, allowing us to hasten through challenging moments and revisit the joyful ones at our discretion. "Time Flies" not only encapsulates the undeniable beauty of life but also serves as a mirror reflecting the fragility of our journey. It compels us to remember, as the old adage goes, that time flies, and we must fly with it, cherishing every precious moment and connection, for life, in all its brilliance, is as fleeting as the delicate wings of a butterfly.
Framed piece comprising of two preserved blue Morpho butterflies and clock mechanism. The numbers and hands of the clock cut from the wings of the butterflies.
Video is stop motion of 24 hours of the clock cycle.
Morpho Menelaus Zischkai found from Central America, one of most stunning large blue morpho species.
Many of my specimens come from historical collections, others through from breeding and conservation projects (read more here).
Available as video installation or original for exhibition and commission, email me on hello@fionaparkinson.com for more details