Reflecting on Moths to a Flame by Jenny Ayrton
Jenny’s thought piece from our final Moths to a Flame publication
Brrrr, clunk, brrrr, clunk
I’m sitting at my dining table with my trusty sewing machine in front of me, to my left is a box of envelopes each containing 15 milk bottle moths waiting to be stitched together, and to my right lies a large box with layer upon layer of strung moths nestled carefully between sheets of chip paper. This is my 40th string today, 40 x 15 = 600 moths, time for a cup of tea! The task is huge, a little overwhelming. Every time that I think I’m getting towards the bottom of the pile more arrive in the post… whose crazy idea was this?
Emptying the next envelope I find myself distracted looking at each moth individually… each one has been carefully drawn, cut and decorated… a humble milk bottle saved from the recycling bin has been transformed into a thing of beauty, carrying the makers message of hope.
Brrrr, clunk, brrrr, clunk
Many of the moths have been energetically coloured-in with rainbows and vibrant patterns, others are black and white with secret messages only revealed when viewed under UV lights, some have been carefully embellished using subtler colours to emulate the elegant moths that I have grown to love through our Watch Moths broadcasts, others have bold statements and pleading messages such as “Find another way to light the night” and “Act Now!”.
Some of the moths arrive with letters and notes from their creators; we love to hear about the individuals, families, neighbours and groups who have taken the time to join in.
Brrrr, clunk
The primary school and neighbouring nursing home who haven’t been able to share activities due to Covid restrictions, but meet by video call to make their separate moths, then pop them all in the same envelope to post to us.
Brrrr, clunk, brrrr, clunk
The grandparents, aunts and uncles who have sent their young relatives moth making kits as they can’t be together at this difficult time.
The hospital team who set up a making table in their staff rest area, and find that getting crafty together levels the playfield so that team members who usually clash, instead find things in common.
The couple who replaced all of their old bulbs with LEDs after reading the Moth's Whisper to their grandchildren.
The home-schooling families who hand-deliver their moths to us in Glasgow, every member of the family having sat down to make a moth and talk about energy, excited to be part of something bigger.
Brrrr, clunk
“So have you got a favourite?”
I chuckle and shake my head in response. I’m standing in the Kibble Palace chatting to Katherine the photographer as she takes picture after picture, capturing the installation to share online with all those participants who can’t make it to Glasgow. We are surrounded by a multitude of moths hanging in sweeps and curtains, archways and swoops.
20,000 moths, a crazy number… I thought I would get bored of the moths, that they would all begin to look the same, but each one is beautiful in its own way, and together they are mesmerising.
Each time that I walk around my focus lands on new moths, each representing an individual, a fellow member of the Moths to a Flame community. Standing amongst the moths I no longer feel so alone.
Working together we can make a difference.
This thought piece has been taking from our final Moths to a Flame publication, available to purchase via the link on this page or in our online shop.
All purchases support the work of The Art and Energy Collective - thank you.
