Hive Mapping, graphite on paper 32 x 48 inches

Hive Mapping belongs to a drawing series that responds to the hypothesis that bee colony collapse is caused by the uniformity of hive manufacture which increases the risk of disease. My aim was to create drawings that represent organic hive growth to mimic the natural proliferation of cells versus the uniform grid design. It was important that I minimize my influence on the hive’s design and find a means to draw without seeing what the overall shape would become. Therefore, I began the drawings with the paper scrolled so that only a few inches were visible at a time. I added hexagon upon hexagon and did not see the finished drawing until I ran out of paper and unrolled the final hive shape. The results are two uniquely shaped hives that show the different paths of exponential growth.

Later, I translated the drawings into CAD and had the designs cut out of baltic birch to create more variation of the work.