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In-visible Moth Spells is an installation which explores the mutual interests, shared concerns and interconnectedness of moths, humans and other species. The installation examines how light pollution, the changing urban space and dwindling natural resources affect a range species including our own. Invisible Moth Spells creates a space for moths and people to meet, being it either red electromagnetic spectrum, interactive urban playground or spoken enchanting moth spells. The installation is accompanied by a booklet that gives further information about the project and moths.


WIP 2021

Invisible Moth Spells
IED XD
MA RCA


During the installation the audience is bathed in red enchanting light whilst listening to moth spells
During the installation the audience is bathed in red enchanting light whilst listening to moth spells

The installation addresses our connection to other species, urban light pollution and the urgency caused by mass extinction


In the red light spectrum all ordinary foliage becomes enchanted by the depths between shadow and light


The space becoems a place for reflection and encouraging care for moths

The red light installation is an invitation for the audience to experience red colour and light whilst listening to moth spells. It's a multisensory experience that takes place in the evening at moth time. Because moths don't see the red colour spectrum, the space becomes a place where both the human and the moth might meet.

Through storytelling and moth spells, this piece aims to bring attention and encourage care for moths. Moths are important pollinators and often overlooked or have a bad reputation, despite being as enchanting and wonderful as butterflies. The installation aims to cast a spell on the audience in order to save the moths.

The piece questions anthropocentric urban light use and the widely used limited strong white colour spectrum that negatively affects moth and other nocturnal species populations.

The piece consists of one central light sculpture and six floor mats, ambient music, surrounding Night Scented Stock plants that open at moth time and spoken moth spells.



The red light installation is accompanied by an illustrated fictional booklet that introduces the invisible dimension, contains written moth spells and tells a story of the last moth. The project's visual representation is guided by moths' colour and light perception and human created urban tiled grid patterns. The project's use of grids as a part of the visual language represents the human desire to control and organize the natural world.

I would like to express my gratitude to Zoë Randle from the Butterfly Conservation for helping to collect and spread the word about moth spells. Also, a big thank you to all the spell authors Steve Palin, Anna-Maria Amato, Lisa Hawkins, Philip Burton and Roy Leverton.
 
2023