21. Mirror Experimentation

Experimenting with Mirrors as inspired by Damien Hirst

Hirst's mirror cabinets have been an inspiration throughout my project. Below I have experimented with incorporating a single sheet of mirror with my own project and specimens.

The Carpenter Bee

Above I experimented with using shards of borax crystals on a mirror alongside my bee. I did not feel that the effect was as successful as I had envisioned. The crystal shards are too opaque.

After I brushed them aside, the results were much more interesting.

The very few shards of borax crystal left behind sat neatly on the mirror and resembled flakes of snow, or stars. Turning the image upside down gives an entirely new and abstract effect.

To me, it looks like one bee is carrying an identical bee on its back, mid flight.

I enjoy the extra depth and dimension given by the mirror. The wings of the bee are colourful and reflective, like precious gems. It is reminiscent of the diamonds of Hirst's diamond cabinets, only in a much more natural, less clinical form.

I carried out similar experiments with my moth.

For some reason, the lighting warped in certain places which made the moth appear to be underwater. The organic, wavy lines on the mirror look like underwater ripples.

The moth is an interesting piece to reflect due to the fact that the top and bottom of the moth is so vastly different. I enjoy how the "deaths head" of the "deaths head moth" can be seen in the reflection of the mirror in some shots, whereas only crystals are seen from above.

I enjoy the lens flare on this one. It adds to the piece by making it appear that the moth is floating in space.

Again, turning the image upside down makes it appear that a single moth is carrying another mid flight. I enjoy this abstract, slightly confusing effect.

I find it interesting that the mirror is not blatantly obvious in most of these images. The reflection is completely seamless which leaves the viewers questioning the symmetry and ambiguity.

Experiments with my wasps:

 I think the image above is successful. It showcases many features of the wasps including the wings, the natural crystals, the artificial glitter and all the colours in between.

I experimented briefly with using light to illuminate the wings. I feel like the wing resembles a sunset, above.

I would not say that my pieces resemble Hirst's diamond cabinets at all, but instead that they are developments of his original idea. The concept of using mirrors was inspired directly by him, but the developments are completely my own.