SPECIMEN — ASSEMBLE YOUR COPY
The project idea is based on the principle of a curiosity cabinet—a space for collecting and studying unusual natural objects. One of the classic items in such collections has been butterflies, which vary in shape, size, and pattern. Instead of presenting the butterfly as a single, complete object, the project deconstructs it into independent parts, giving the user the freedom to assemble unique combinations themselves.
Entomological Collection at the Milwaukee Museum
ASSEMBLY PRINCIPLE
The main body connects to two side wings using a dovetail joint. The fastening mechanism is identical for all parts, meaning any wing will fit any side of the body. Because of this, a small set of parts allows you to assemble far more unique butterflies than the number of individual parts.
Assembly Options
The toy transforms the collecting process into a creation process; the user doesn’t copy a finished item but rather forms their own, constantly new collection by reassembling the same few components. This results in a personal mini-cabinets of curiosity, where every assembled butterfly is a distinct, fixed specimen that can be disassembled and reassembled in a different form at any time.
STARTER PACK CONTENTS
Body: The simple rectangular shape serves as the base, connecting the two wings.
Wings: 8 pairs of different silhouettes and color schemes,
16 pieces, each wing has an identical cutout for the body, so all pairs are interchangeable.
Cords: 8 thin cords for hanging the assembled butterflies. Each piece on the left wing has a special hole through which a cord is threaded, allowing the assembled toy to be used as a hanging object.
Wing height varies between 8–10 cm depending on the silhouette. All parts are 2 cm thick.
