The artist created a very small art installation to memorialize a common horsefly named Henry. The miniature memorial included tiny flower pots, bouquets, portraits, cards, and an impromptu funeral service. The goal was to bring recognition and empathy to small creatures that are often killed without thought. Photographs were taken to magnify the small-scale pieces. The installation was placed intentionally in a dirty area near the classroom to contrast with the delicate miniature memorial items.

1. A Very SMALL Art Project…
Chantelle Boismier 103370655

3. A very small art project…
The concept behind my work is to bring recognition and empathy (in a
satirical manner) to the very small living creatures which most of us have
no problem squashing when we are inconvenienced by them; In this case,
the memorial of a common horsefly.
My project includes the physical installation of the miniature memorial (and
all small parts, including Henry the horsefly), the magnification of images
using photography, and the impromptu funeral service performed during
my presentation.

4. A very small art project…
HORSE FLY (Tabanidae)
-Species of Tabanidae that habitually attack humans
and livestock are widely regarded as pests because of
the bites that females of most species inflict, and the
diseases and parasites that some species transmit.
-Tabanids are extremely fast and agile fliers.
-Adult horse flies feed on nectar and sometimes
pollen. Females of most species are anautogenous,
meaning they require a blood meal before they are
able to reproduce effectively, if at all.
-Horse fly bites are painful, the bites of large specimens
especially so. Most short tongued (short proboscid) species of
horse flies use their knife-like mandibles to rip and/or slice flesh
apart.
-The adult horse fly's life span is around 30 to 60 days.

5. A very small art project…
The miniatures needed for the
little funeral service were put
together piece by little piece.
The bouquets and flower pots were made using
a mixture of artificial baby’s breath,
cut up greenery and small Wax Flowers.
The bouquets were wrapped in candy wrappers.

6. A very small art project…
Close up detail shot of Henry’s flower pots.

7. A very small art project…
Close up detail shot of the bouquets.

8. A very small art project…
Close up detail shot of Henry’s portraits.

9. A very small art project…
Close up detail shot of the teddy bear and card envelopes.

10. A very small art project…
Close up detail shot of the front of the cards.

11. A very small art project…
Close up detail shot of the inside of the cards.

12. A very small art project…
As you can see from the photos below, this was definitely a very small art
project. It went completely unnoticed to people who weren’t paying attention in
the classroom.
The location of the installation was very important. It is a common area to find
deceased bugs and was full of spiderwebs and dirt. The site really added to the
visual appeal of the project and was a great contrast to the miniature memorial
items themselves.

13. A very small art project…
Detail shot.

14. A very small art project…
Windowsill detail shot.

15. Thank you.