About Flying Diamonds, Chocolate Wrappers, and a Spoon Crest from Ulm
June has the floor. Outside, there’s a buzz and a hum again—in the hedges, the meadows, and through the warm air—that delicate, humming orchestra of tiny creatures that delights me anew every summer.
Not everyone shares my enthusiasm, I know. But anyone who’s already inwardly cried out, “Eww!” can sit back and relax: My beetle species are all staying right where they are. They’re behind glass—not because we need to be wary of them, but because they, in turn, need protection from us: from the rigors of everyday life, from the careless hand that, with the best of intentions, is quick to disturb them too much.
If you look closely, you’ll discover all sorts of shiny little beetles and crawling gems with scribbled-on little legs. I have to admit: these jewels of nature have me raving all over again—and I can’t help but sing their praises over and over, even for the tiniest crumb. I hope I can inspire you so much that you, too, will be drawn to this little scene like moths to a flame.
So, let’s start from the beginning
What Was on the Table
A small branch of dogwood. Spindle tree berries. Heather blossoms, a linden blossom, tomato leaves. Rosebuds, very small. Chocolate wrappers—the shiny ones you’re supposed to throw away, but which, unsurprisingly, I couldn’t bring myself to throw away. Electronic resistors, whose wires I twisted into spirals. And lo and behold: the tiny shard of a Christmas ornament, which only now caught my eye with its silvery sheen on my work table.
That was the material. So far, so innocent.
What came of it
The chocolate wrappers were transformed into beetles—with antennae made of electronic resistor wires, which now radiate a dignity reminiscent of horned rams. Some beetles have the body of a tiny rosebud. Others owe their shape to the fruits of the spindle tree. Anything else? Oh, right—the tiniest little beetles were made from heather blossoms.
The Habitat
Little branches of dogwood entwine the entire scene in lively twists and turns—an airy home that is both a frame and a wilderness. Tomato greens have settled like an evergreen star, landing at the edge of the delicate structure. A linden blossom joins in the play. And a few other plant remnants that wish to remain incognito—not everything here needs to be identified down to the last detail, and I respect that.
In short: If you don’t look closely, there’s really nothing else of significance to see here.
The Weight of Things
And then there’s the spoon coat of arms from Ulm.
A modest enamel artifact that lends weight to the entire scene. It is more than just a casual reference to a location. Rather, it is a clue—an answer to a question that must be asked urgently.
So if someone asks you, “Tell me where the bugs are!”
Now you know the answer:
In Ulm, around Ulm, and all around Ulm!
These spoon crests inspired me to create a new series—and I’m convinced that art on such a small scale has a higher purpose than just hanging in a souvenir shop. Since then, various coats of arms from different hiking regions have appeared in my works, each carrying with it its entire origin—the place, the outing, and the moment it was found.
Speaking of hiking: That’s the key word. The new series is called “Hiking Days” —and I invite you to let your gaze and thoughts wander through the assemblages right along with me. My own journey through this series has only just begun. More stops—or works—will follow. I’m curious myself to see where this path will lead me. Thank you for joining me for a while.
P.S.: One more thing I’d definitely like to recommend: a novel about friendship, adventure, and a golden beetle
For anyone who has now developed a taste for Käfer, I recommend a book that I read with absolute enthusiasm—and which I’m mentioning for no other reason than this: It gripped me and wouldn’t let go.
*Miss Benson’s Beetle* by Rachel Joyce —published in German as *Miss Bensons Reise* —tells the story of two very different women who set out from 1950s London: out into the world, and at the same time deep into their own lives. An unusual friendship, an adventurous journey—and right in the middle of it all, a magical figure: a golden beetle, shrouded in legend and as elusive as the Holy Grail. I’d rather not give away any more—it’s best to order it in person from your favorite bookstore.
Leave a Reply