Insects Inhabit Blooming Floral Worlds in ‘Umwelt’ by Yoshiyuki Katayama

Yoshiyuki Katayama captures the ineffable qualities of nature and time in her ongoing series Umwelt (previously), which traces myriad relationships between insects and flowering plants. The title takes its name from an ethological concept that uses the German word “umwelt,” usually translated to “self-centered world,” to describe how animals experience their surroundings. Through elegant timelapses of unfurling blossoms, Katayama composes portraits of hostas and gerberas inhabited by colorful six-and eight-legged creatures that, thanks to some great editing, move in real time.

Find more on the artist’s website and Instagram.

a still from a short timelapse film showing two spiders on a large, light yellow gerbera blossom against a black background

All images © Yoshiyuki Katayama

a gif from a short timelapse film showing an orange and black beetle crawling up a blossoming red flower set against a black background

a gif from a short timelapse film showing an orange and black insect crawling up a blossoming violet hosta flower set against a black background

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Insects Inhabit Blooming Floral Worlds in ‘Umwelt’ by Yoshiyuki Katayama appeared first on Colossal.