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"Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine."

Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)

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It’s not always easy to decide what you want to do with your life. Certain people choose to make their passion their profession. Others, like Lia Giraud, find a way to mix the two.

A French biologist, she invented a way to bring her love of photography into the laboratory, creating some pretty unusual art in the process.

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Photograph of Lia Giraud. © ITEM 2017.

Unlike traditional photographs that don’t change over time, her's "grow like plants." How does she do it? Thanks to her Algaegraphie (algae + photography) technique.

Working with a special type of photosensitive micro-algae, she uses specific sources of light to manipulate the simple life form. Gathered together on a flat surface, the algae sprouts into the shape Giraud desires.

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Photograph of Lia Giraud in her lab.

The green algae is cultivated in petri dishes which, when photographed, serve as frames for the work. The biologist-photographer waits for her desired image to begin to appear before stabilizing the algae through a secret chemical procedure.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to her subjects: she can create portraits, landscapes or still-lifes. Though her themes vary, her pictures always reference the history of photography.

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Lia Giraud, "Algaegraphie Landscape". © Lia Giraud.

The results are pretty incredible. You’d never guess these images were alive!

Giraud tested more than 1500 varieties of algae before finding the right one. She photographed each, keeping a record of her work. Because the subjects of her photographs are living organisms, they’re destined to constantly evolve and, eventually, pass away. You know what they say: Take a picture! It’ll last longer.

You can't see any pictures ? Contact us on jean@artips.fr

Lia Giraud, "Algaegraphies". © Lia Giraud.

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Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.
Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)
You can't see any pictures ? Contact us on jean@artips.fr

Photograph of Lia Giraud’s "Algaegraphies". © cuk.ch.

Aénora Le Belleguic-Chassagne

APPROVED BY

Gérard Marié

Professor of Art History

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