If you enjoy being outside and have a fascination with bugs then the current exhibit at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is the place to be. David Rogers’ Big Bugs features some of the coolest bugs (on a HUGE scale) you will ever see and you can get up close and personal with them now until September 30, 2016!
David Rogers’ Big Bugs
The Big Bugs exhibit features 10 unique sculptures ranging from huge, creepier than life spiders to three ants “strolling” down the road (looking down on your cars). All sculptures are made of high quality trees that are stained and glisten in the sun.
The Ants
Three ants roam the roadside at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, heading off in search of food, perhaps. The detail on these ants- all of the sculptures in David Rogers’ Big Bugs exhibit- is impeccable.
According to the flyer at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: “David Rogers uses a combination of whole trees, cut green saplings, dry branches, and other sustainable forest materials […] their different shapes, colors, and textures provide his sculptures with their character, definition, and a sense of motion.”
All you need to do is look at the detail (below) of the ant sculptures to realize that this is the perfect description for the exhibit.
Praying Mantis
The praying mantis (pictured in profile at the top of this post) is something to behold. It weighs 1200 lbs and measures at 18 feet long and 20 feet wide! Get up close to its pinchers – the detail is so well done that you might begin to wonder how safe you really are…
Daddy Long Legs
Did you know that the daddy long leg “spider” breathes through its legs?! One of the really cool things about David Rogers’ Big Bugs exhibit is that each insect sculpture has an informational card which teaches you something new about said bug. I cannot think of a better way to learn something!
“Big Bug” Daddy Long Legs weighs only 600 lbs, but measures at 17 feet by 17 feet and stands 10 feet in the air. That means you can stand underneath him- even if you’re the tallest person on the planet! Try it.
Bee and Hive
The bee and hive sculpture is my favorite one- so basic and yet so extraordinary. Sitting above the hive, affixed by just one single tree limb, the bee looks like he’s overseeing the inner workings of the hive.
The bee weighs about 50 lbs while the hive below it weighs another 75 lbs.
What are you waiting for- check it out now!
If you go:
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska MN 55318
David Rogers’ Big Bugs exhibit now through to September 30, 2016
Flyers with a map of locations of the 10 sculptures located in the visitor center – grab one- they contain great information.
Hours: 8 am – 8 pm
That looks like so much fun. I’m going to have to make a trip to the arboretum before they go for the season!
I highly recommend it Jenn! One of my favorite exhibits that they’ve had thus far!