Living Artificial Environments

Takashi Amano, a Japanese photographer, designer, and entrepreneur, creates ecological systems in an aquarium tank. He introduces carbon dioxide into the aquarium, which is absorbed by aquatic plants that photosynthesize producing rich oxygen, and in turn stimulating the environment for fish and other microorganisms. These synthetic aquatic ecosystems derive from his imagination as well as experiences visiting and documenting the Amazon, Borneo, West Africa, and his native Japan.

He produces wonderful works of natural art which have earned him international acclaim as well as his photographs, which include two images displayed at the 34th G8 summit. More on these living artificial environments can be found here.


I had the privilege of attending a seminar by Amano while staying in Beijing. He shared photographs with accompanying stories and even the design of an artificial living environment before our very eyes.