The Sociology of Bees, 1996. Scales, acrylic beehive, modified window bee transit tunnel.

The Sociology of Bees was created for Gallois’ honors graduation exhibition in 1996. The work consisted of two sets of scales positioned side-by-side. The smaller of the scales was placed on a plinth, upon which rested a high precision scientific digital scale capable of registering minute weights. Placed on top of this scale was a live beehive housed within a see-thru acrylic container, which was connected to the world outside the gallery. With the coming and going of each bee, the weight of the hive varied. Viewers of the work were encouraged to weigh themselves on the larger human digital scales adjacent to the beehive, and contemplate the role and ‘weight’ of the individual in society.