OLana Light

The Caterpillar's World

Installation: Sculpture, Sound, Film

Mixed Media including reindeer moss and Corylus Colurna(Turkish hazel)

spudWORKS, Station Rd, Sway, Lymington SO41 6BA

17 - 31 January 2025

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I transformed the gallery into an immersive, fantastical realm inspired by the enchanting world of caterpillars. These often-overlooked creatures inhabit a hidden, mysterious underworld beneath our feet—a space rich with texture, movement, and quiet magic seldom seen up close. By inviting visitors into this microcosm, I aimed to create a transformative experience that shifted their perspective, immersing them in a miniature world where unfamiliar landscapes took on larger-than-life dimensions.

 

Caterpillars are rich in symbolism, representing transformation, growth, patience, and potential. Their journey embodies the process of change and becoming, as they undergo a remarkable metamorphosis from humble larvae to beautiful butterflies or moths.

 

To bring this vision to life, I created a large-scale caterpillar sculpture from natural materials that captured the earthy textures and colors of a caterpillar’s habitat. This sculpture was set within a lush, organic environment, allowing visitors to explore a realm that felt both surreal and deeply rooted in nature. The space was further enlivened with immersive soundscapes—gentle rustlings, subtle earthy tones, the delicate sound of a caterpillar moving, and the rhythmic, almost meditative sound of it eating—bringing the gallery to life and inviting guests to experience the caterpillar’s journey in a world that celebrated growth, transformation, and the beauty of life on a smaller scale.

 

Through this installation, I hoped to foster playful interaction and introspection, encouraging visitors to reflect on their journeys of growth and change while deepening their connection to the natural world.