Last Day to View Live Beehive Sculpture at the MoMA

Today is the last day to visit Pierre Huyghe's Untitled (Reclining Nude) at the Museum of Modern Art. I went on Monday to see this sculpture in person and it is a beauty. The sculpture is located in the sculpture garden on the first floor of the museum. I love the sculpture garden, it's a great place to get a cup of coffee and just soak in the art around you.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Aug 18, 2015 at 11:03pm PDT

I loved this sign that they had on the door right before you enter the sculpture garden. I must say, the beekeeper in me got super excited to see the colony!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Aug 18, 2015 at 8:42am PDT

The live colony of bees is meant to be the women's head and brain. The hive and sculpture is placed under a tree in the center of the garden. Can you see it? Look closely. The tree really hid it well, if it wasn't for the sign on the door, I would imagine some people would have missed this piece all together because you couldn't really tell there was a beehive under the tree unless you were looking for it.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Aug 17, 2015 at 11:24am PDT

Here is a closer view of it. The bees were so calm. There were a few flying around but mostly they were tending to the hive. I am so proud of the MoMA for taking the initiative of having a live bee colony on the premises of the museum's garden where visitors can see it up close and personal. In an urban environment like New York City, it's difficult to see a beehive this up close unless you know a beekeeper or know where beehives are located. As a beekeeper in Brooklyn, I have had many people complain about my bees being in close proximity to neighbors and the street. But honeybees for the most part are very docile. I know that some people are allergic to bee sting so it does concern certain people. However, honeybees won't sting you unless they feel like the hive is being threatened in any way, so as long as you keep a good distance away from the hive, they won't go after you.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Aug 17, 2015 at 12:29pm PDT

Here is a closer look of the sculpture. I was so impressed by it. It really is so beautiful how the honeybees created the wax comb as a perfect oblong head. It was beautiful. I wish this piece could be a permanent sculpture at the museum. See it today, it's the last day! Here is a link about the sculpture.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Aug 17, 2015 at 1:53pm PDT

The Queen is alive!

We're more than half way done with this beekeeping season and things are going as well as can be. Here we are inspecting the overwintered hive.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 25, 2015 at 4:02pm PDT

At our last inspection, I didn't see any brood, and was so worried that the hive could potentially be Queenless. But, I was so thrilled to see that the Queen is alive and laying perfect brood! Look at this gorgeous deep frame of brood. It's so lovely. We were literally jumping for joy because I feared that the Queen had died. But she is alive and well and doing awesome.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 26, 2015 at 7:04am PDT

Not only is the hive doing exceedingly well, they are making gorgeous frames of honey. Just look how beautiful these frames of honey are! I am getting so excited to harvest! I can barely wait!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 26, 2015 at 7:27pm PDT

At my second hive, the other Queen is also laying well! We found lots of perfect brood!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 26, 2015 at 12:29pm PDT

Here's a close up of one of the frames. The pollen on the bottom looks amazing, and they have capped honey on top. This is beautiful.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 26, 2015 at 5:51pm PDT

Even Oscar the kitty was in the beekeeping mood! He's not afraid of the bees at all!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 27, 2015 at 4:01pm PDT

Where's the Brood?

So during this weekend's beekeeping session, I am completely bummed because I didn't see any brood in the hive. I'm fearing the worst, that either I injured the Queen at the last beekeeping inspection, or she may have swarmed. At the last inspection, I saw frame after frame of brood, so this is heartbreaking.

A video posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 15, 2015 at 3:27am PDT

I did see brood inside the split that I made, so I decided to recombine the split to the original hive. In the split I saw 2 swarm cups and a supersedure cup empty, so a virgin queen was born and has mated. Hopefully, the hive will take to this Queen and she will be productive as the last one.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 14, 2015 at 8:57pm PDT

Despite all the disappointments, there was some good news, in the honey super there are 3 frames of honey! I can't wait until there are 10 frames of honey so we can do a harvest!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jul 14, 2015 at 6:36pm PDT

The bees are doing well!

Two weeks ago, I visited the beehive and it's looking amazing! I arrived at the first backyard and was blown away by the pretty garden! It is so lush and green!

Lilies are now in bloom!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jun 27, 2015 at 1:51pm PDT

The hydrangea are also in bloom! Isn't this so pretty!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jun 27, 2015 at 4:07pm PDT

The bees must be so happy living here. The beehives look great nestled in the flora.

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jun 27, 2015 at 2:25pm PDT

At the second beehive location, the hive is doing extremely well. The Queen is laying perfect brood! I found 3 boxes full of brood, she is such a prolific layer!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jun 28, 2015 at 4:52am PDT

And the top box has frames of honey! I think we shall be able to harvest honey soon!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jun 28, 2015 at 8:28am PDT

Since the hive is very full, and I saw signs of swarm cells, I decided to split the hive and move some new larvae frames into a new box. I also added some honey frames. With any luck, they will raise a new virgin Queen and this will be a new colony!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jun 27, 2015 at 8:30pm PDT

The original hive looks like a skyscraper compared to the new box!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jun 27, 2015 at 9:34pm PDT

I'm so excited with how well this hive is doing! I can't wait to do the next hive inspection!

A photo posted by Mimi (@meemsnyc) on Jun 28, 2015 at 6:56am PDT