CO-COMMISSIONED BY:

KATHLEEN AND HARVEY GUION & THE GUION FAMILY FUND

SUZANNE DEAL BOOTH & THE SUZANNE DEAL BOOTH CULTURAL TRUST

Insectum is a sonic exploration of the world of arthropods.

INSECTUM is a sonic exploration of the resilience and beauty of the world’s oldest living multicellular creatures; arthropods. Originally inspired by the pioneering imagery of artist-entomologist Maria Sibylla Merian, and furthered by consultation with entomologists Alex Wild and Jo-anne Holley at The University of Texas at Austin, the album aims to not only bring audiences “down” to these creatures' level but also to reframe our relationship with them. As global climate change accelerates and insect populations suffer from a rapid collapse, INSECTUM challenges listeners to move beyond simply writing these organisms off as mere “bugs.”

The album features new works by composers/performers Susie Ibarra (drums, percussion), Jeffrey Zeigler (cello), and Graham Reynolds (piano, keyboards, electronics). Graham and Jeffrey had previously collaborated together on another Golden Hornet commission, The Sound of Science, and wanted to take a deeper dive into a more specific field and bring in a third artist that they were both excited about. Susie, with her unique voice and approach and a track record of projects that interacted with science, was a perfect choice. Each of the three creators had their own entry points to use insects as an inspiration, either through sound samples, videos, or entomology textbooks.

“The artistic process of working with the UT Austin entomologists Alex and Jo-anne made sure that we were not just using popular or romantic ideas of what each insect represents,” says Graham Reynolds, also the Artistic Director of Golden Hornet. “They helped us to understand what was actually real or correct to each particular insect and explained the nuances that the public might not know. The track ‘Army Ants’, we originally had it as very regimented and strict on time, but that’s not the truth. They swarm at first and then retreat as a straight line, so we added Susie’s drum intro to capture that moment.”

INSECTUM combines science and music to weave together an unforgettable audio experience that finds beauty in all things small.

Thank you to our commissioners.

Harvey and Kathleen Guion

Kathleen and Harvey Guion are proud to be once again involved with Graham and Golden Hornet in the production of another wonderful music event. They have been Co-Commissioners or Commissioners of The Sound of Science, Marfa Country and Western Big Band Suite, and MXTX Cross Border Exchange.

They have been involved in Executive Producing and Producing theatre productions in NYC and Austin for the past 20+ years; for companies like, Boundless Theatre Company, Theatre East, Zach Scott Theatre, Rude Mechanicals, Salvage Vanguard Theatre, and Shrewd Productions. They have also been key supporters of the Fusebox Festival for many years.

Suzanne Deal Booth

Suzanne Deal Booth is an arts advocate, vintner, and specialist in the preservation of cultural heritage. She earned a BA (cum laude) in Art History from Rice University, and an MA in Art History and certificate in conservation from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University. During her studies, Deal Booth was mentored by the humanist and art collector Dominique de Menil, founder of the The Menil Collection in Houston. These early experiences working with de Menil continue to influence her to this day, as seen through Deal Booth’s own philanthropy and arts patronage. In 1998, Deal Booth founded Friends of Heritage Preservation, which has undertaken over 80 projects to protect cultural heritage around the globe. As proprietor and steward of Bella Oaks Vineyard in the Napa Valley, Deal Booth emphasizes organic and biodynamic practices to produce wine and olive oil that respect the land. In addition to her preservation work, Deal Booth serves on the boards of the following cultural organizations: The Contemporary Austin, The Menil Collection, LACMA, Blanton Museum of Art, Atelier Calder, and Centre Pompidou.