Thib’s interest in the traditional relationships between nature and culture, and the copy and the original is pronounced in this piece, which presents four black designs, arranged symmetrically on paper. The designs are representations of 19th century decorative motifs (for textiles and mosaics, for instance) that were inspired by historical and Eastern arts traditions. Thib’s manipulations of historical designs in this work produce unsettling effects. Old motifs, fragmented and removed from their original surroundings, resemble insects. The symmetrical arrangement of the designs recalls displays at natural history museums and in enclyclopedias.

This piece is part of Thib’s “Dissections” series, which includes five paired screenprints on paper.