detail: Diseased Larvae silk banner

Then the larva stiffens. Its black and white skin breaks behind the eyes and slides away to reveal a twisting body, eyeless and vibrantly green. Violent contortions rid the animal of the larval skin, which falls limp and wrinkled as an old stocking. Then the body begins to pulse again, as the creature actually sculpts itself into the familiar jade and gold lantern shape of the chrysalis.

Then comes the long wait.

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Milkweed Patch: An Installation by Debbie O'Rourke