Diatoms
Diatoms is a homage to Klaus Kemp, one of the most prominent diatom composition practitioners, and to the beauty and delicate process of diatom slide design. This film is an intimate look into his microscopic world and a part of nature’s beauty that few of us get to see. Klaus Kemp was a self-taught microbiological artist and light microscopist known for his intricate diatom slides, inspired by a Victorian example he saw as a young man. Dedicated to perfecting the craft, he developed his own tools and spent eight years formulating a glue, a recipe he guarded until his death.
The Science
This art form originated in the Victorian era, arranging microscopic diatoms—phytoplankton with detailed silica shells—into precise patterns on slides often smaller than 1mm. Few practitioners create these complex arrangements today, and Kemp’s were among the most intricate, highly valued by collectors worldwide.
Originally, we planned to film Klaus creating a diatom arrangement. After his passing, we pivoted to a CG approach, crafting a short film to honor his legacy. Our goal was to recreate details of his workspace—from his round wooden table to his slide storage boxes—culminating in a transition through the microscope that reveals his world.
For displaying our custom 3D models, we used Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging as inspiration. We produced a series of grayscale images capturing the models’ form and structure in the SEM style.
Research & Development
Capturing the beauty of diatoms was challenging. We constructed detailed models to interact with light as real diatoms do, balancing accuracy with creative shading to enhance the aesthetic. Throughout the project, we referenced an authentic diatom arrangement slide, observing its reactions to different lighting conditions. This helped us understand how silica refracts light, allowing for more accurate and varied visual effects.
Credits
Directed and Produced by: Optical Arts
Creative Direction & Animation: Flora MacLeod
Concept & Research: Jamie-Lee Harding & Dan Tobin Smith
Executive Producer: Hannah May
Producer: Natalie Greenwood
DOP: Joe Jackson
Camera Assistant: Jack Lovell
Motion Control Operator: Dennis Henry
Set Design: Jamie-Lee Harding
Creative Assistant: Joseff Williams
Compositing: Katie Rhodes & Enrico Lambiase
Grade: Martin Pryor
Audio & Sound Design: Parallel People