By John Johnston
The Cincinnati Enquirer

When Imago Earth Center needed an artist to create a giant cicada, it turned to 29-year-old David Dotson. Here's a guy who loves insects "because of the irrational psychological responses we have to them," he says.

Dotson grew up in Butler County and is an Army veteran of the first Gulf War. He has a fine arts degree from Miami University and is working toward his master's on the Oxford campus. He works at the university's art museum.

Is this your first cicada sculpture?

"Yes. It was on my list of creatures I wanted to make. It worked out really well in that regard. ... Most of my work involves the natural world or insect forms or fish, that sort of thing. Educating people about those things is important."

What other creatures have you sculpted?

"Lots. Beetles, wasps, butterflies, caterpillars. These were on a much smaller scale. I've done a 2- or 3-foot crab. Seahorses, fish. All kinds of interesting critters."

What spurred your interest in nature?

"I grew up on a farm. There was a lot of wildlife. When I was really young, about 9, I got swarmed by a nest of bees."

Any stings?

"I probably had over 100 stings. Luckily, I wasn't allergic."

Some people would avoid insects after that.

"I think it did just the opposite for me. After that, there was nothing to be afraid of."

Talk about sculpting a giant cicada out of steel.

"I did a lot of anatomical research and actually got cicada specimens. Dead ones. I took some artistic liberties, but for the most part I wanted to keep it true to life. I make a model first, about one-quarter scale, out of paper. That's what I make the steel patterns from. I cut out all the pieces (from a sheet of 18-gauge steel) and hammer and weld and do some forge work. It's painted with automotive paint."

What was the biggest challenge?

"It had to be able to come apart, so they could move it. So making the wings detachable, and still look nice, was definitely a challenge. I had to abstract a little bit."

You know, of course, that some folks dread the coming of the cicadas. Describe reaction to the sculpture.

"Pretty positive. What happens is, you have these little (live) cicadas that people are afraid to pick up. By making a sculptural piece this big, it allows people a safety net to investigate it and ask more questions

Do you remember the last time this brood of cicadas invaded?

"Yeah. I remember the Snappy Cicada Pizza tune on the radio."

What's next for you, insect-wise?

"I'm working on a 20-foot wasp right now that's going to be (exhibited) at the university."

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E-mail jjohnston@enquirer.com