Art Evolution Biological Specimens and Art

Art Evolution

Biological Specimens and Art

"The greatest scientists are artists as well." - Albert Einstein

Dr Abe V Rotor

1. Green Mussels Tower

Green Mussels (Pernia viridis) Tower, crafted by AV Rotor, 2025

Pity your eyes, natural shade from the sea,

prism the sun into soft, friendly harmony;

if you were in the deep, or aloft in the sky,

be free where fishes swim and birds fly.

  

 

                                   Two views of the Green Mussels Tower

“People are like mussels. You can put them in a vat of boiling water, and some of them will pop open immediately. Some of them will have to float around in the water for a bit, then they’ll slowly release. Others never open up at all, no matter what sort of hot water they’re in.”- Rhian J. Martin, A Different Familiar

                         2. Driftwood and Oysters Trophy

 Driftwood and Oysters (Ostrea) Tree Trophy, crafted by AV Rotor 2025

Lofty trophies of gold and silver;

wonder who really wins. Alas! in vain,

but nature besieged by man's gain,

to forge trophies of gold and silver.

Nature trophies yearn for man's help; 

where have all her beauties gone -

her bounty and joy that give us fun?

Lo! her trophies aren't for the shelf. - avr

Two views of the Driftwood with Oysters Trophy,  AVR 2020

"All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster's autobiography," - Federico Fellini

3. Mounted Swallowtail Butterflies

Mounted swallowtail butterflies (Papilio)  on acrylic painting 

- biology specimens and artwork combined. Crafted  by the author.

 

Dorsal view of swallowtail butterfly; author with house guest 

at the Living with Nature Center

Souvenirs of nature grace our halls and homes,

   imprimatur of man's relationship with her,

 binding us through boundaries and generations,

beauty we both uphold and share. - avr

"The spiritual meaning of the zebra swallowtail butterfly is transformation and change. It is an emblem of perseverance, strength, and the beauty of life. The butterfly's stripes represent the duality of life, a reminder that the dark and light must always be in balance." (Powdersville, SC)

4. Mixed Herbarium

Avocado (Persia), Umbrella Tree (Terminalia) and Chestnut 

(Castanea) mixed herbarium. Crafted by AVR 2025 

Wonder if Science is study, puzzle or game;

Nature's secret and sweet lies are the same. - avr

"A herbarium is a critical resource for biodiversity, ecological, and evolutionary research studies. It is a primary data source of dried and labeled plant specimens that is arranged to allow for easy retrieval access and archival storage." - Duke Herbarium - Duke University