Beneath the Surface_ChapterII 2024 - ...
A few years ago, a giant isopod named “No. 1,” housed in the Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture, Japan, became famous for fasting for 5 years and 43 days before its death. When I first came across this news, I was struck by the sheer peculiarity of such a creature. Giant isopods are scavenging arthropods that dwell in the deep sea. Fossil evidence shows that isopods have existed for over 160 million years, remaining virtually unchanged in their biological form—a living relic of ancient times.
By chance, I received several specimens of giant isopods from a friend who had retrieved them from the deep sea, over 100 meters below the surface. Unfortunately, these isopods died shortly after being brought to the surface. According to my friend, these creatures are highly adapted to the high-pressure environment of the deep sea and cannot survive under atmospheric pressure, similar to the phenomenon observed in ribbonfish.
In some inexplicable way, these isopods seemed to establish a mysterious connection with “No. 1,” further deepening my reverence and curiosity for this ancient species. I decided to preserve them as dried specimens. During the process, I became increasingly fascinated by their unique biological features and began documenting their forms and existence through photography. My aim was to capture the timeless allure of these ancient creatures and immortalize their fleeting presence in history.
This endeavor evolved into a broader photography project focused on deep-sea arthropods, including crabs, lobsters, and other species. These creatures captivate me not only with their extraordinary forms and ability to adapt to extreme environments but also by prompting reflections on humanity’s connection to these ancient lifeforms. Through my work, I explore their life cycles and ecological roles, using imagery as a poetic expression and testament to the symbiosis between humans and the natural world.
前些年，日本三重县鸟羽市水族馆饲养的一只大王具足虫“1号”以绝食5年零43天后死亡而闻名。我第一次看到这个新闻时，不禁感慨于这个世界上居然存在如此奇特的生物。大王具足虫是一种深海生活的食腐节肢动物，化石数据显示，具足虫类早在1.6亿年前便已存在，至今仍然保持着原始的生物形态，几乎未经历过进化。
机缘巧合之下，我得到了一些大王具足虫的原虫，是一位朋友从百米以下的深海中打捞上来寄给我的。不幸的是，这些具足虫在离开深海后不久便死亡。据朋友介绍，这种生物长期生活在高压的深海环境中，一旦暴露于大气压下便会迅速死亡，与带鱼的情况类似。
在某种程度上，这些大王具足虫似乎与“1号”之间建立了一种神秘的联结，它们让我对远古生命形式充满敬畏与好奇。于是，我决定将这些具足虫制成干燥标本。在制作标本的过程中，我愈发感受到这一物种的独特之处，并开始通过摄影记录它们的形态与存在。我的镜头试图捕捉这些远古生物的永恒魅力，呈现它们生命的瞬间与历史的深邃。
由此，我开启了一个以深海节肢动物为核心的摄影项目，包括螃蟹、龙虾等其他物种。这些生物以其独特的形态和适应极端环境的能力深深吸引了我，同时也促使我反思人类与这些古老生命形式之间的联系。我通过影像探索它们的生命轨迹与生态角色，并将这些作品作为人与自然共生的见证，呈现出一种诗意的表达。
By chance, I received several specimens of giant isopods from a friend who had retrieved them from the deep sea, over 100 meters below the surface. Unfortunately, these isopods died shortly after being brought to the surface. According to my friend, these creatures are highly adapted to the high-pressure environment of the deep sea and cannot survive under atmospheric pressure, similar to the phenomenon observed in ribbonfish.
In some inexplicable way, these isopods seemed to establish a mysterious connection with “No. 1,” further deepening my reverence and curiosity for this ancient species. I decided to preserve them as dried specimens. During the process, I became increasingly fascinated by their unique biological features and began documenting their forms and existence through photography. My aim was to capture the timeless allure of these ancient creatures and immortalize their fleeting presence in history.
This endeavor evolved into a broader photography project focused on deep-sea arthropods, including crabs, lobsters, and other species. These creatures captivate me not only with their extraordinary forms and ability to adapt to extreme environments but also by prompting reflections on humanity’s connection to these ancient lifeforms. Through my work, I explore their life cycles and ecological roles, using imagery as a poetic expression and testament to the symbiosis between humans and the natural world.
前些年，日本三重县鸟羽市水族馆饲养的一只大王具足虫“1号”以绝食5年零43天后死亡而闻名。我第一次看到这个新闻时，不禁感慨于这个世界上居然存在如此奇特的生物。大王具足虫是一种深海生活的食腐节肢动物，化石数据显示，具足虫类早在1.6亿年前便已存在，至今仍然保持着原始的生物形态，几乎未经历过进化。
机缘巧合之下，我得到了一些大王具足虫的原虫，是一位朋友从百米以下的深海中打捞上来寄给我的。不幸的是，这些具足虫在离开深海后不久便死亡。据朋友介绍，这种生物长期生活在高压的深海环境中，一旦暴露于大气压下便会迅速死亡，与带鱼的情况类似。
在某种程度上，这些大王具足虫似乎与“1号”之间建立了一种神秘的联结，它们让我对远古生命形式充满敬畏与好奇。于是，我决定将这些具足虫制成干燥标本。在制作标本的过程中，我愈发感受到这一物种的独特之处，并开始通过摄影记录它们的形态与存在。我的镜头试图捕捉这些远古生物的永恒魅力，呈现它们生命的瞬间与历史的深邃。
由此，我开启了一个以深海节肢动物为核心的摄影项目，包括螃蟹、龙虾等其他物种。这些生物以其独特的形态和适应极端环境的能力深深吸引了我，同时也促使我反思人类与这些古老生命形式之间的联系。我通过影像探索它们的生命轨迹与生态角色，并将这些作品作为人与自然共生的见证，呈现出一种诗意的表达。
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