Telling of the Bees
2019—Present InternationalHistorically across cultures, it was common for people to inform their beehives of important developments in the household, including births, marriages, and deaths. Named in honor of this tradition, Telling of the Bees is an ongoing visual exploration documenting the complex and varying relationships between people and bees—specifically as they emerge throughout agriculture, industry, ecological research, environmental conservation, healthcare, bioengineering, and spirituality.
To consider
What are our environmental and ethical responsibilities to bees? And what are their responsibilities to—and because of—us?
A patient looks on as her therapist works to secure a honey bee during an apitherapy treatment. In Bee Venom Therapy (BVT), the patient is injected with apitoxin (bee venom), through live bee stings or lab-extracted solutions delivered by syringe. All methods of venom extraction are lethal to the bee. Bellaire, TX. 2019
apitherapy
ā-pi-ˈther-ə-pē
the use of substances produced by honeybees (such as venom, propolis, or honey) to treat various medical conditions in humans
the use of substances produced by honeybees (such as venom, propolis, or honey) to treat various medical conditions in humans
What we have, we owe to bees
Human evolution is expressly linked to bees. Among the most prolific and successful pollinators on the planet, bees have helped create and maintain the biodiverse environments that made it possible for human civilization to take root and grow.
Human evolution is expressly linked to bees. Among the most prolific and successful pollinators on the planet, bees have helped create and maintain the biodiverse environments that made it possible for human civilization to take root and grow.
Bees join the honey harvest. Heisykha, Ukraine. 2019
Friends share homemade honey wine during a summer picnic. Heisykha, Ukraine. 2019
