Larger-than-life bugs set to make debut in Morton Arboretum exhibit

If you see what appears to be three giant ants marching toward you as you drive along the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway near Lisle, don't rub your eyes in disbelief.

Those are artist David Rogers' ant sculptures, part of a bug sculpture exhibit that goes on display beginning Friday at the Morton Arboretum.

These ants aren't like anything you've ever spotted at a picnic. The largest of Rogers' ant sculptures, made of tree branches and saplings, is 25 feet long. And some of the other sculptures in the exhibit are even larger.

Among the insects on display through July 20 will be oversized grasshoppers, dragonflies, damselflies, ladybugs, spiders and a praying mantis. Rogers will be there to talk with visitors from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday.

Rogers says the beauty of the arboretum complements the exquisite nature of these creatures, visible in extreme close-up provided through the artist's magnification.

"It's the marvel of the world of the arthropods. I developed a whole new appreciation for them," Rogers said.

More than 15 years ago, he built his first giant bug sculpture, inspiring viewers to consider how different the world would be if bugs were much bigger than people instead of the other way around.

The Long Island resident said he started out making rustic furniture and garden accessories out of tree branches and saplings when, while visiting Vermont, he noticed an arched sapling.

"It reminded me of a backbone to a dinosaur," he said.

Soon a series of wood-constructed dinosaurs emerged from Rogers' imagination. The dinosaurs were followed by what became Rogers' signature series, the Big Bugs.

Rogers said he was intrigued by the "change in proportion, the whole role reversal," inherent in the idea of giant bugs.

He began with ants and moved on to other bugs, adding intricately carved detail. His newest creation, a giant daddy longlegs spider, is making its public debut at the arboretum.

Rogers said the sculptures resonate especially well with children.

"They get it, and they get it a lot quicker than the adults," he said.

He theorizes that, after cats and dogs, insects are the next most commonly encountered animals in a child's life. So, children learn at a young age to differentiate an ant from a spider and a spider from a praying mantis.

Rogers said the exhibit is intended not only to spark the imagination, but to educate and to inspire a respect for the environment.

The environment is fascinating, particularly upon close inspection.

For example, Rogers said, the combined weight of all the ants on Earth outweighs the combined weight of all the people by a 10 to one ratio.

"There's all these fun facts that you pick up along the way," he said.

Rogers said his exhibit at the arboretum marks the beginning of the Big Bugs' 15th season. The exhibit debuted at the Dallas Arboretum in 1994 and has since been to Boston, Denver and the New York Botanical Garden.

While at the arboretum, most of the sculptures will be situated near Meadow Lake and the visitor center, a short walk from the entrance.

"We want to make it as accessible as we can," he said.

If you go

What: David Rogers' Big Bugs exhibit

Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle

When: Friday through July 20

Cost: Free with arboretum admission; $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for ages 3 to 17; free for members

Info: (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org