The Hive is a modern art sculpture, controlled by bees, created by Wolfgang Buttress for the Royal Botanical Gardens of London. Via CNN:
“I think these days we are bombarded by so many digital images and sometimes we forget how powerful and important sounds, touch and smell are. So to me that was really important, that these elements were at the heart of the installation,” the artist explained.
“The Hive” aims to highlight the importance of pollinators like the honeybee in feeding humanity, and the challenges facing the species due to climate change, pesticides, and lack of biodiversity — a message which made it a perfect fit for its new home in London.
“The purpose of ‘The Hive’,” says Director of Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Richard Deverell, “is to tell the story of the role of bees in pollinating crop plants and therefore feeding the planet. I thought that was perfect for Kew because we want to bring alive why plants matter, and clearly one of the most important things that plants do, is to feed humanity.”
Speaking about “The Hive’s” new home, Buttress said: “It just seemed such a perfect fit with the whole history of Kew. To me it really feels like it’s kind of come home, it feels like it’s always been here.”