{"id":17700,"date":"2026-06-14T19:02:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T17:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/tell-me-where-the-beetles-are\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T19:07:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T17:07:32","slug":"tell-me-where-the-beetles-are","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/tell-me-where-the-beetles-are\/","title":{"rendered":"Tell me where the bugs are"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About flying diamonds, chocolate wrappers, and a spoon coat of arms from Ulm<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-container brlbs-cmpnt-content-blocker brlbs-cmpnt-with-individual-styles\" data-borlabs-cookie-content-blocker-id=\"vimeo-content-blocker\" data-borlabs-cookie-content=\"PGlmcmFtZSB0aXRsZT0iV2Vya3ZvcnN0ZWxsdW5nIGltIEF0ZWxpZXItIFNhZyBtaXIgd28gZGllIEvDpGZlciBzaW5kIiBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnZpbWVvLmNvbS92aWRlby8xMTk5NDE0NTE4P2RudD0xJmFtcDthcHBfaWQ9MTIyOTYzIiB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI4MSIgZnJhbWVib3JkZXI9IjAiIGFsbG93PSJhdXRvcGxheTsgZnVsbHNjcmVlbjsgcGljdHVyZS1pbi1waWN0dXJlOyBjbGlwYm9hcmQtd3JpdGU7IGVuY3J5cHRlZC1tZWRpYTsgd2ViLXNoYXJlIiByZWZlcnJlcnBvbGljeT0ic3RyaWN0LW9yaWdpbi13aGVuLWNyb3NzLW9yaWdpbiI+PC9pZnJhbWU+\"><div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-preset-c brlbs-cmpnt-cb-vimeo\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-thumbnail\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/borlabs-cookie\/1\/vimeo_1199414518.jpg')\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-main\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-play-button\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-content\"> <p class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-description\">You are currently viewing a placeholder content from <strong>Vimeo<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-provider-toggle\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-show-provider-information role=\"button\">More Information<\/a> <\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-buttons\"> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-unblock role=\"button\">Unblock content<\/a> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-accept-service role=\"button\" style=\"display: inherit\">Accept required service and unblock content<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">June has the floor. Outside, the air is buzzing and humming again\u2014in the hedges, the meadows, and through the warm air\u2014that delicate, humming orchestra of tiny creatures that delights me anew every summer. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I know not everyone shares my enthusiasm. But anyone who\u2019s already inwardly cried out, \u201cEww!\u201d can relax: my beetles are all staying right where they are. They sit behind glass\u2014not because we need to be wary of them, but because they, on the contrary, need protection from us, from the rigors of everyday life, from the careless hand that, with the best of intentions, is quick to move things too much.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm-900x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm-1024x1365.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm-800x1067.jpg 800w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Roter-KaeferUlm.jpg 1614w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you look closely, you\u2019ll discover all sorts of shiny little beetles and crawling gems with delicate little legs. I have to admit: these jewels of nature have me raving all over again\u2014and I can\u2019t help but sing their praises over and over, down to the very last crumb. I hope I can inspire you so much that this little scene will draw you in just as moths are drawn to the light.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, let&#8217;s start from the beginning<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was on the table<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twig of dogwood. Fruits from the peony. Heather blossoms, a lime blossom, tomato green. Rose buds, very small. Chocolate paper &#8211; the shiny one that you actually throw away, but which, how could it be otherwise, I couldn&#8217;t throw away. Electronic resistors whose wires I twisted into snails. And lo and behold: the tiny splinter of a Christmas bauble, which only now drew attention to itself with its silvery sheen on my work table.      <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was the material. So far, so unsuspicious. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What became of it<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beetles emerged from the chocolate paper &#8211; with antennae made of electronic resistance wires, which now radiate dignity like horned rams. Some beetles have the body of a tiny rosebud. Others owe their shape to the fruits of the peony. Anything else? Oh, yes &#8211; the smallest beetles are made from heather flowers.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-1200x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Assemblage by Magdalena Hohlweg\u2014chocolate wrappers and an electronic resistor with scribbled legs become a golden beetle\" class=\"wp-image-17390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V2_web_large.jpg 1655w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Habitat<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twigs of dogwood entwine the whole scene in sweeping curves &#8211; an airy home that is both frame and wilderness. Tomato green has settled like an evergreen star, landing on the edge of the delicate structure. A lime blossom still plays along. And a few other plant remnants that want to remain incognito &#8211; not everything here has to be determined down to the last detail, and I respect that.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short: Unless you look closely, there\u2019s really nothing else of note here.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Weight of Things<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And then there&#8217;s the spoon coat of arms from Ulm.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-1200x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Detail from an assemblage - spoon coat of arms &quot;Ulm&quot; and plant remains as insects\" class=\"wp-image-17384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/W27-2021-Focus-Stack_2026-06-01_09-18-34_HOH_img_001-No-3_V3_web_large-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 urgently needs to be asked.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So if someone asks you <em>,<\/em> &#8221; <em>Tell me where the bugs are!<\/em>&#8220;<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now you know the answer:<\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>In Ulm, around Ulm, and all over Ulm!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-b7c91e0b wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/werke\/tell-me-where-the-beetles-are\/\"><strong>About the Work &#8211; Tell Me Where the Beetles Are<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These spoon crests inspired me to create a new series\u2014and I\u2019m 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, carrying with them their entire origin\u2014the place, the outing, the moment of discovery. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking of hiking: That\u2019s the key word. The <a href=\"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/series-of-works-hiking-days\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"17559\"><strong>new series is called Wandertage<\/strong><\/a> \u2014and 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. Further stops, or works, will follow. I\u2019m curious myself to see where this path will lead me. Thank you for joining me for a while.     <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-b7c91e0b wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\"><strong>&#8220;Hiking Days&#8221; Series<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">P.S.: <strong>One more thing I really want to recommend: a novel about friendship, adventure, and a golden beetle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those who have now acquired a taste for K\u00e4fer, I recommend a book that I read with absolute enthusiasm\u2014and which I\u2019m mentioning for no other reason than this: it gripped me and wouldn\u2019t let go.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>*Miss Benson&#8217;s Beetle*<\/em> by Rachel Joyce<\/strong> \u2014published in German as <em>*Miss Bensons Reise*<\/em> \u2014tells the story of two very different women who set out from 1950s London: into the world, and at the same time deep into their own lives. An unusual friendship, an adventurous journey\u2014and right in the middle of it all, a magical figure: a golden beetle, shrouded in legend and as elusive as the Holy Grail. I\u2019d rather not reveal any more\u2014it\u2019s best to order it in person at your favorite bookstore.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About flying diamonds, chocolate wrappers, and a spoon coat of arms from Ulm June has the floor. Outside, the air is buzzing and humming again\u2014in the hedges, the meadows, and through the warm air\u2014that delicate, humming orchestra of tiny creatures that delights me anew every summer. I know not everyone shares my enthusiasm. But anyone [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":17399,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[360],"tags":[723,408,419,815],"class_list":["post-17700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-collage-en","tag-assemblage","tag-insects","tag-kaefer-en","tag-ulm"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17700"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17706,"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17700\/revisions\/17706"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17399"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hohlweg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}