INSECT TAXIDERMIST 1 (IT1, 2016)
Name: Zowie Wyatt
Job Role: Amateur Insect Taxidermist and previous attendee of the butterfly setting course run by A Curious Incident
Date of Questionnaire: 3rd January 2016
Questions and Answers:
1) Why is Entomology and Insect Taxidermy an effective way in treating those with a fear of insects?
It shows the delicacy of the insects to illustrate that they are more fearful of us than we are of them. With one touch of some insects, you can kill them in seconds.
2) How can the education of insects affect people’s opinions of them?
By teaching people about the insects role in our environment, and that without insects nothing would be alive, it shows them in a different light from the scary nuisance.
3) Can you describe the environment(s) in which these courses take place?
A wide range of places and educational facilities offer multiple courses, from wildlife parks to art centres.
4) Do you think these spaces are successful?
Very. They immerse you in the course, and also educate further than what is needed for the course you are on, often reaching out to alternative insect families.
5) If these courses take place in more than one environment (school, home, museum etc) which of these spaces do you think works best and why?
Probably a school or a museum, due to taking people out of their comfort zone, and engaging them from the very start.
6) Have you experienced any negative responses to the environment?
Not so much negativity, but more conservative thoughts. Many people don’t understand entomology or insects life cycle for that matter. A lot of people think it is cruel and bad for the environment, but it is the opposite of that. At the end of the day, not everyone wants a dead insect.
7) Is there anything you would change about the environment to make it more effective?
Have a space where butterfly/insect conservation and entomology is shown side by side. This will quickly quash any misconceptions about the practice of entomology, whilst also showing the butterflies/insects alive in all of their beauty. Many children and adults don’t know what touching a butterflies or insects means, and with a quick lesson or course it can show how to handle live and dead butterflies or insects.
8) Do you think the environment has an impact on how efficiently and successfully people will learn? How?
Enormously. If the setting it welcoming and exciting, it will open the visitors minds and start to leave their misconceptions behind. Keeping the space clear of clutter and simple classroom set ups will easily engage people straight away.
9) Do you need specific equipment/room settings in order to undertake the process?
A flat surface, ideally a table to sit at, but you can stand also, but you don’t want to be fidgety. Otherwise you need setting boards (which you can make or buy with foam or cork board), tracing paper cut into strips, entomology tweezers, entomology pins (basically they wont ever rust), dress making pins (with the big coloured heads on to grab easily).
All of the relaxing prior to setting has to be done before the course, due it taking 24+. Once a course is complete they have to take the specimens set on the boards to allow them to dry for the next 2 days - then they remove them.
10) Do you think educational spaces or healthcare spaces are more effective in treating fears of insects? Why?
Educational. It needs to be a relaxing environment to allow people to focus on the task and not the fear.
INSECT TAXIDERMY AND ENTOMOLOGY QUESTIONNAIRE
INSECT TAXIDERMIST 2 (IT2, 2016)
Name: Louise Newton
Job Role: Runs the Insect Taxidermy courses for 'A Curious Invitiation'
Date of Questionnaire: 14th January 2016
Questions and Answers:
1) Why is Entomology and Insect Taxidermy an effective way in treating those with a fear of insects?
I can’t claim that it is or isn’t! To be able to make such a claim would require a study over an extended period of time with numerous participants. This is a question more suited for a psychotherapist than a taxidermist!
I can only speak from my own experience. I am less freaked out by creepy crawlies than I used to be. Although, en-mass infestations are still rank….and I’m still utterly terrified of maggots. Even the word makes me feel sick!
2) How can the education of insects affect people’s opinions of them?
People realise how wondrous and varied the animal kingdom is, and how alien so many of our co-habitants are. I find that referring to carrion-eating and waste-eating insects as ‘nature’s recyclers’. Once you explain that they’re doing the tidying up for us, people often have a new found respect for the more grotesque behaviours.
3) Can you describe the environment(s) in which these courses take place?
Our classes mainly take place in cultural centres, museums and private bars. We’ve also done festivals such as Wilderness
4) Do you think these spaces are successful?
Yes. As its presented as something both educational and fun, people enjoy their classes and the work they produce.
5) If these courses take place in more than one environment (school, home, museum etc) which of these spaces do you think works best and why?
I like museums best. My favourite places were the Barbican and Kensal Rise Cemetery. I’ve never taught at a school, but the children who attend my classes always really enjoy it.
6) Have you experienced any negative responses to the environment?
Only due to size of the room a couple of times! Our classes are quite popular, and sometimes the guests have get cozy if it’s a smaller venue! But everyone has a great time, regardless.
7) Is there anything you would change about the environment to make it more effective?
A good light source to see what you’re doing is important. A supportive chair for your back whilst you’re leaning over is needed. I like to put some chilled out music on, as it’s a fiddly job and it helps people concentrate.
8) Do you think the environment has an impact on how efficiently and successfully people will learn? How?
Very much so. Butterfly setting is quite intricate work. But also, keeping things lighthearted and entertaining leaves people feeling enthusiastic, as well as taking home some great specimens to frame.
9) Do you need specific equipment/room settings in order to undertake the process?
You need specialist entomological equipment, but this is inexpensive, so it’s a great hobby to continue with. I deliver a presentation on insects with some funny videos, so I need a projector and screen. Oh, and dead butterflies of course!
10) Do you think educational spaces or healthcare spaces are more effective in treating fears of insects? Why?
As I mentioned in my first answer, I have no knowledge of the treatment of phobias, insects or otherwise.
