Some people might say that humans beings are herd animals. But these stunning images appear to prove the adage beyond any doubt.
These surreal mosaics, made from thousands of swarming human bodies, were the talk of this year’s Pulse LA art fair.
The awe-inspiring pieces, created by New York based-photographic artist Angelo Musco, are, literally, making waves in the photographic world.
New talent: New York based-photographic artist Angelo Musco was the talk of this year’s Pulse LA art fair
Musco’s images mimic the complex structures of the natural world from an ant colony and beehive to a school of fish.
His work attempts to touch on grand themes such as birth, procreation and gestation. ‘A swarm of fish captures a profusion of life, the safety of a symbolic nest, and a connection of one being to another.
‘It’s the strength derived from this collective force,’ he said on his website. ‘The nests, as well, relate to the safe geography of birth and early life.’
Nature: Musco’s images mimic the complex structures of the natural world from an ant colony and beehive to a school of fish.
Big ideas: Musco’s work attempts to touch on grand themes such as birth, procreation and gestation.
Difficult start: Musco also draws on his own traumatic early life experience in his work.
The artist also draws on his own traumatic early life experience in his work. Angelo was the youngest of five children and was not born until he had been in the womb for 11 months.
When he was born after such a long gestation Angelo weighed a massive 6.5 kilos (around 14.3 lbs.)
Giving birth to a child of this size was complex and when Angelo became caught in the birth canal and turned blue, the midwife lost her cool. Her efforts to get the baby out quickly caused serious damage to both mother and baby.
The newborn was rushed to the hospital, in a critical state.
Creative: Musco was paralyzed on the right side of his body for the first few years of his life, which he says influences his work
Expression: Musco says his physical limitations meant that he found expression in art and the images and visions he had in his head.
Then when Musco’s aunt, uncle, and father returned home with the soiled baby clothes, Angelo’s mother believed that the baby had died and this stress stopped her breast milk.
Both mother and son survived, but baby Angelo was paralysed on the right side of his body for the first few years of his life.
Angelo says that his art is inspired by his tough start in life.
He said: ‘More specifically it was the difficulty and trauma of my actual birth that coloured my early life.
The artist: Angelo Musco, shown, says his body was a reminder of his entry into the world
‘Both my mother and I almost died in childbirth and I was left unable to use my right arm for the first years of my life.
‘But I soaked up so much of the rich history and beauty of Naples and, because of the physical limitations, I was not inclined to do athletic play like others my age and I found expression in art and the images and visions I had in my head.
‘My body was a constant reminder of my entry into the world and that awareness worked its way into the work.’
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