Fortean researcher Mark Pilkington, of the excellent Strange Attractor Journal, is co-organizing the First International Arts Pestival at the London Wetland Centre May 27-June 4. This looks like it will be an absolutely incredible event. From the description:
"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos."–E.O Wilson
The First International Arts Pestival is dedicated to raising awareness of the integral role insects play in the global ecosystem and in all animal societies. Many of those insects are increasingly endangered through human action.
Through appreciation of "insects in art and the art of being an insect", the Pestival aims to create positive PR for this 400-million-year-old, highly evolved taxon that has had thousands of years of bad press.
We are building up a fantastic programme of talks, demonstrations, workshops, art installations, films, music and performance, fusing art and science to reach out to a broad, interested audience of homo sapien adults and children.
Mark says, "We're currently seeking entries to our insect photography competition, and looking for short films with entomological themes."
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