fumie-tiles

This interactive installation work was exhibited at CSIRO Discovery Australia in 2003. Australian endangered butterfulies were featured on each fragile ceramic tile. People allowed to walk across on these tiles in the exhibition opening. This video shows the exhibition opening. This project was assisted by Kim Pullen, Ecosystem Function Team, CSIRO Entomology.

fumie-tiles at CSIRO Discovery Canberra in 2003

150m2 covered with ceramics tiles

Australian Endangered Butterflies:
'European settlement in Australia has brought vast changes on the landscape. Many of our native butterfly species, together with other fauna and flora, have suffered in these changes. As cropland, pastures, cities and roads have taken the place of bushland, the plants that caterpillars eat and the flowers where butterflies feed have disappeared. Exotic weeds invade their habitats and introduced insects attack them. The hilltops where they congregate have been levelled or had towers built on them. The fragility of Ken Yonetani's butterfly tiles underfoot symbolizes the vulnerability of these beautiful creatures under man's onslaught on the environment.'

- Kim Pullen, Ecosystem Function Team, CSIRO Entomology

The images are from my exhibition "fumie-tiles" at CSIRO Discovery Canberra, Australia in 2003. 2,200 fragile tiles featuring Australian endangered burtterflies (26cm x 26cm) covered the gallery floor. Most of the tiles were broken by the attendants of the opening reception.