Hive Mapping I, large Sculpture

This is a large version of Hive Mapping I. Hive Mapping is a drawing series in response to the hypothesis that bee colony collapse is caused by the uniformity of hive manufacture that increases the risk of disease. The aim was to represent organic hive growth. I began the drawings with the paper scrolled so that only a few inches were visible at a time. I added hexagon upon hexagon freely and did not see the finish drawing until I ran out of paper and unrolled the final hive shape. I later translated the drawings into CAD and laser cut out of Baltic Birch. For this larger version, multiple sheets of birch are layered to create a unique composition with added depth.