Insecta is a short (4:52) experimental documentary film that questions humans’ relationship with the nonhuman world through the dual lenses of scientific inquiry and the aesthetics of documentary filmmaking. Utilizing archival video and narration in conjunction with original laboratory photography and rhythmic insect sound compositions, Insecta constructs an unsettling portrait of human callousness toward nonhuman animals in our compulsive quests for knowledge and domination of the natural world. The film embodies the curiosity and delight of the natural sciences, combined with a simultaneous understanding that scientific methods deserve our critical attention as a means of producing knowledge.

Screenings, Exhibitions + Awards:

  • Imagine Science Films, Labocine.com – March 2019
  • Antimatter [Media Art] (Victoria, Canada) – October 2018
  • Deluge Contemporary Art (Victoria, Canada) – “Framing Nature” group exhibition, on view October 11-21 2018
  • Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival (Hawick, Scotland) – May 2018
  • Jury’s Stellar Award: Black Maria Film Festival (USA) – 2018 Tour
    • Tour screenings included:
      • National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C., USA) 
      • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI, USA)
      • Hoboken Historical Museum (Hoboken, NJ, USA)
      • Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, GA, USA)
      • Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences (Long Beach Township, NJ, USA)
      • Richey Suncoast Theatre (Port Richey, FL, USA)
      • Florida Southwestern State College (Fort Meyers, FL, USA)
  • Best Director: Mirror Mountain Film Festival (Ottawa, Canada) – December 2017
  • SF Shorts (San Francisco, USA) – October 2017
  • SCINEMA International Film Festival (Australia) – August 2017 Tour
  • Plas Glyn-Y-Weddw Arts Centre (Llanbedrog, Wales) – “Borders” group exhibition, on view May 27 through July 15, 2018
  • The Bakery: “Material Universe” (Atlanta, USA) – June 2018
  • Counterpath Gallery: curated program (Denver, USA) – March 2018
  • PIX Gallery: “Scaling the Insect” (Toronto, Canada) – March 2018

The above video is an excerpt. If you are interested in viewing the full version of this film for a possible screening, contact Ramey for a private link.