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Sun – Thu: 10am – 7pm (Last entry at 6pm) |
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Fri – Sat: 10am – 9pm (Last entry at 8.15pm) |
Launch Privileges: Visits until 28 Feb
Singapore Residents Adult: From S$6 Concession: From S$4 |
Tourists Adult: From S$7 Concession: From S$5 |
Explore the hidden beauty of insects, magnified into captivating works of art that uncover intricate details, complex forms and surprising worlds up close.
Curated by ArtScience Museum in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History and enriched by scientific research from Singapore, Insects: Microsculptures Magnified brings global perspectives into dialogue with local discovery.
The exhibition features 37 monumental, high‑magnification portraits of insects from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, captured by award‑winning British photographer Levon Biss. The exhibition also depicts the rich diversity of insect life in Singapore. It highlights how scientists working in the nation’s forests and laboratories are making significant discoveries that advance fields from ecology and conservation to biomimetic engineering. With contributions from Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Nanyang Technological University, A*STAR and Singapore Geographic, the show reveals how research conducted here is shaping international understandings of insect diversity and inspiring new applications across science and technology.
Be among the first to experience the exhibition. Exclusive rates apply to all visits until 28 Feb.
Amazonian Purple Warrior Scarab, Peru
Coprophanaeus lancifer
(Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)
This large and impressive scarab beetle is found widely across the Amazon Basin. This species is particularly active at dusk when the contrast in colour between the black horn and the blue body is enhanced and helps individuals to recognise others of the same species. Although belonging to a group of scarab beetles which mainly consume dung this and related species have switched to feeding on dead animals. The toothed, blade-like area at the front of the head and the serrated front legs are thought to help in breaking up tough carrion.
Credit: © Levon Biss
Jewel Longhorn Beetle, Nigeria
Species of the genus Sternotomis (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Once magnified the secret to the spectacular patterning of this beetle is revealed—a covering of extremely fine pigmented scales similar to those of butterflies and moths.
Credit: © Levon Biss
Orchid Cuckoo Bee, Brazil
Exaerete frontalis (Hymenoptera, Apidae)
The Orchid Cuckoo Bee of the most spectacular of all bees in terms of size, colour and microsculpture. We usually think of bees as benign, helpful creatures, but Exaerete is a cuckoo bee. Instead of collecting pollen and constructing their own nests, female cuckoo bees enter the nests of other bees and lay their eggs in the host’s brood cells. This particular specimen has grown to a large size by consuming the pollen diligently collected by its host.
Credit: © Levon Biss
Pleasing Fungus Beetle, Bolivia
Species of the genus Brachysphaenus (Coleoptera, Erotylidae)
Close relatives of ladybirds, species of pleasing fungus beetles show a seemingly endless combination of bright colours, spots, stripes and other patterns. Their attractive colours are not there to please humans of course; rather the striking decoration advertises a sophisticated chemical defence system to predators.
Credit: © Levon Biss
Splendid-necked Dung Beetle, Madagascar
Helictopleurus splendidicollis (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)
Arguably the most attractively marked dung beetle in the world, it is thought that after the extinction of all the large animals in Madagascar this beetle survived by switching from feeding on dung to feeding on dead animals.
Credit: © Levon Biss
Tortoise Beetle, China
Platypria melli (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)
The wonderfully complex shape of the Tortoise Beetle is a composite of bumps, pits, wrinkles and rows of spines. Light passing through the specimen further reveals areas where the wing cases are paper-thin. The function of the spines is unclear but can be assumed to be a physical defence or to help camouflage the insect on its host plant.
Credit: © Levon Biss
Levon Biss is a British artist widely recognised as one of the leading macro photographers of his generation. His photography has been exhibited internationally and is held in numerous public and private collections. Working primarily with a custom-built camera system designed for extreme macro photography, Biss focuses on natural history—creating images that reveal aspects of the natural world normally invisible to the naked eye. He has collaborated with major museum collections across Europe, the Middle East and the United States, and his earlier project Microsculpture has been presented in over 22 countries, across 44 cities. Biss’ TED talks on his photographic techniques and projects have been viewed by millions and his images are widely used in schools to engage and inspire the next generation with nature, science and art.
To view more of Levon Biss’s work visit www.levonbiss.com.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History was established in 1860 to draw together scientific studies from across the University of Oxford. Today, the award-winning Museum continues to be a place of scientific research, collecting and fieldwork, and plays host to a programme of events, exhibitions and activities for the public and school students of all ages.
Highlights in the collections include the world's first scientifically described dinosaur—Megalosaurus bucklandii—and the world-famous Oxford Dodo, the only soft tissue remains of the extinct dodo.
The Museum is part of the University of Oxford's Gardens, Libraries and Museums and is overseen by the Board of Visitors and supported by Honorary Associates. The Pitt Rivers Museum of anthropology and archaeology adjoins the Museum building.
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is a major centre of research and education on the natural sciences. Established in New York City in 1869, it pioneered in mounting field expeditions and in creating dioramas and other lifelike exhibits showing natural habitats and their plant and animal life.
The museum’s collections of research specimens number more than 30 million, and its collections of fossils and of insects are among the largest in the world. Its exhibits of fossil dinosaurs and mammals are particularly impressive.
The museum conducts research in anthropology, astronomy, entomology, herpetology, ichthyology, invertebrates, mammalogy, mineralogy, ornithology, and vertebrate palaeontology.
The Museum of Natural History receives around 650,000 visitors a year and was a Finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015. Its internationally-important insect collection contains more than seven million specimens drawn from every country in the world, including specimens from some of the most remote regions and islands. Combined, the Museum’s collections represent a vast repository of information on biodiversity.
Feed your mind with new ideas and fresh insights by joining our community as a ArtScience Friend. Membership allows unlimited access to exhibitions and selected programmes.
Enjoy 30% off Adult Standard and Concession Standard tickets with your Sands LifeStyle membership. Only available for Single Exhibitions.
With every adult ticket, enjoy complimentary entry for up to four children under 12 years of age on Friday. Not valid during public holidays or Singapore school holidays.
Sip on the most-raved-about artisan Pour Over Coffee, made with Miracle Coffee's roasted, single-origin beans. Created exclusively for Singapore, Kaya Cloud is an Americano-style coffee topped with velvety fresh cream cap flavoured with kaya, complete with shaved gula melaka. Other Singapore-exclusive pastries and sandwiches include Rainbow Cloud, Kopi Choux Puff and Rainbow Roti.
Step into the future with NOX, a site-specific solo exhibition by visionary artist Lawrence Lek.
Another World Is Possible is an exhibition on the future, exploring the practice of world-building across cinema, architecture, design, and speculative fiction.
Immerse yourself in a world of art, science, magic and metaphor through a collection of interactive installations.
