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Post by agnesmitchell2 on Mar 17, 2017 13:24:22 GMT
Hi all,
I have also posted this in the Introductions section.
Very interesting forum. I hope you don't mind me posting for some advice, although I don't keep insects myself. I'm an art teacher currently running a project based on insects in a Central London college. We visited London Zoo the other day and I had a chat with one of the spider keepers who suggested I post on some of the forums. I am looking for a way of obtaining exoskeletons to use in the project - unfortunately the zoo incinerate theirs. I am hoping to use them to make cyanotype photographs, screenprints and also to cast them. We also have access to microscopes from the science department and as I understand it possibly microscopic photography.
The students are also visiting the Grant Museum of Zoology on a drawing trip.
I have no idea how people might feel about exoskeletons - if this is really inappropriate please let me know!
Any advice or leads would be much appreciated.
All the best
Agnes
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 17, 2017 16:51:58 GMT
Welcome to the ICF. Hopefully someone will be able to give you suitable advice. Perhaps you can explain more about your needs, what types of insect exoskeletons, I assume you mean shed skins, rather than dead dried adults? The more information you can give the more likely someone here wil be able to help. Adam. PS. Note that spiders are not insects, they are Arachnids. Here's a Wikipedia page which mentions the difference between spiders and insects: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider
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Post by agnesmitchell2 on Mar 17, 2017 22:56:23 GMT
Hi Adam,
Thanks for your reply, and the useful link. Our project is primarily visual, so all types of exoskeletons which could be examined would be helpful, as would dried specimens. Anything would be great - the tarantula exosceletons we saw at the zoo were amazing! We have already obtained some insects preserved in resin.
This is a self motivated final project for the students - they are given a theme, several field trips, and practical art based workshops - the amount of research they do is up to them. I'm hoping to supply some good study material! I have given the students a petri dish and collecting instructions...although I don't expect much from this! I would be looking for a wide variety of pieces - they would not need to be complete.
I'm completely aware of how shallow this probably sounds to you serious enthusiasts - can only say that I'm very much enjoying learning about the beauty of these creatures, their habitats and ways!
Agnes
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