Relationship
After watching numerous BBC documentaries about animals, I noticed astonishing similarities between the animal world and the human world. In the pursuit of survival and procreation, animals have developed a series of controlling behaviors, just as human society has. This prompted me to search for examples of control in which the animal world and human society share similarities, using anthropomorphic animals and plants as metaphors for the control behaviors existing in human society. If there's any distinction, I find human societal control sometimes more sinister and dark. In this series, I employ vibrant colors and anthropomorphic animal and plant forms to convey a sense of unease.
Parasitism
Hairworms can parasitize the bodies of mantises. Once they mature and are ready to lay eggs, they secrete a special protein that controls the mantises, compelling them to jump into a pool. Afterward, the hairworms burst out of the mantises' bodies and lay their eggs in the water. Hairworms can be likened to eccentric ideas implanted into people's minds; they drive people to engage in crazy actions. Even if the substance in the pool is not water, they will still leap from the platform without hesitation.
Control
The scientific name of the "love bug" is Plecia nearctica. They are named so because males remain attached to females for several days after mating, which is seen as a sweet symbol of love, hence the endearing name "love bug." However, in reality, this behavior is to prevent females from mating with other males. Does this also remind you of the control exerted by patriarchy over women in intimate relationships?
Information Cocoons
In the era of big data, artificial intelligence can provide us with videos, messages, and articles according to the needs of certain political forces. Over time, it seems that we are gradually trapped in an "information cocoon." We can only see certain information that is hoped to be seen, while remaining unaware of the true situation.
Lure
One more step, nectar or death?
Attack each other
We can often see people with different views attacking each other on social platforms. Some people cannot tolerate even the slightest bit of negative feedback or opposition, to the extent of losing their rationality in a frenzy.
Male gaze
The flowers in the jungle are like countless pairs of eyes in the dark, watching the moths that land on the petals. Just like a man scrutinizes a woman's appearance, virtue and fertility all the time.
Cannibalization
After mating, female mantises devour male mantises to provide nourishment and energy for their egg-laying. Similarly, in marital relationships in human society, similarly horrifying news occurs. Perhaps it's for wealth, perhaps it's for seeking another love.
Peacock
You must have seen someone who likes to take center stage when taking photos, squeezing other people aside? The fact behind such unpleasant behaviors is probably the extreme lack of self-worth, "validating the presence" has become a necessity in their life.
Fragility
The softest heart is wrapped in the hardest shell. Due to the fear of being hurt, it dares not to take the first step to explore the world and can only hide in the corner, peering around. Sometimes, protection is also a form of control.
Hypocrisy
In front are enchanting richness and abundance, while behind lies an appalling silence. Beneath the glamorous exterior is a soul too unsettling to be directly confronted.
The silk brings lustrous and rich texture for the effect of the illustration.