Harumi Shimizu’s ‘mutation/creation’ series is a unique topological work, and an arresting inventory of unusual natural categories. Shot in her studio or, ingeniously, at zoos and other places where she pursues her research, her photographs evoke both a science laboratory and the fantastic world of Alice in Wonderland. Her photographs present us with an array of artificially created species as well as natural mutations that failed after one generation. Shimizu defines her motivation as ‘positive curiosity’ and is very clear about her intentions. As she explains, she is driven by ‘an interest in humanity's common aesthetic sense and human attempts to create new breeds, and a natural-history interest in species variation.’ Shimizu documents wild mutations, long-established hybrids, and mutations that have been passed down from generation to generation in various places. The resulting work, strikingly vibrant and colorful, is a cause for wonder, and for deeper wonderings. Her photographs reveal her very strong attachment to nature, and constitute a tender tribute to the strange-but-beautiful.

filmed with the cooperation of:
Aqua Garage/animal room IKEMOFU/amazing narnia/Kakegawa Kachouen/
Onagadori Center/Oouchiyama Zoo/Kyoto Kitayama-Sugi-no-Sato Center/
Toba Aquarium/Hiroshima University Amphibian Research Center