dragonfly (pinned)

these images were originally made for artist simon okshteyn as reference for a series of large graphite canvases, unfortunately shimon died in 2020 and never used them. i went back to the darkroom to give the insects a second life, or rather a second death, pinned and on display as the originals. no drawings were ever made. as objects they become entomology-sh, cabinets of curiosity we look at with, well, curiosity. even though they are once removed from the real insects. even though the insects had to be dead to be photographed in the first place. they are still insects, fascinating to look at, intriguing even as pieces of paper floating behind glass. the illusion completes the circle.