Art and Nature

Compositions of shells made with the artist's interpretation

Terebra & Turritella forest, From the collection of: Museo Malacologico Malakos
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Nature has always been an inspiration for art, over time the greatest artists have tried to imitate and reproduce it. It can be seen how, in nature, shapes and colors are very often repeated and resemble each other. This also concern mollusks, which often recall natural and landscape elements. The series wants to highlight this aspect, enhancing, thanks to the compositions, the fractal shapes and the vivid colors of some species. The photographs are also a tribute to the historic combination of art and nature.

A forest of Turritelle (left) and five Terebre armed with poison (right)

Tectus dentatus pine forestMuseo Malacologico Malakos

In reality these large pines are Tectus dentatus and can only be found in the Red Sea.

TurbinellidaeMuseo Malacologico Malakos

They look like trees, but they are South African Coluzea (Turbinellidae).

Pleurotomariidae and EpitoniidaeMuseo Malacologico Malakos

Japanese village of white Epitonium and colorful Pleurotomarie.

CypraeidaeMuseo Malacologico Malakos

Family meeting between Cipree; among them more or less close relatives.

GlossidaeMuseo Malacologico Malakos

They call them "human hearts", but their scientific name is Glossus humanus.

Glossus humanus ravioliMuseo Malacologico Malakos

Turridae groveMuseo Malacologico Malakos

A forest of Gemmula (Turridae) that inhabit the muddy bottoms of the immense Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Coluzea eastwoodaeMuseo Malacologico Malakos

Babelomurex cristatusMuseo Malacologico Malakos

It looks like a host of threatening Samurai, but in reality it is just delicate Babelomurex.

Haustellum haustellum rosesMuseo Malacologico Malakos

Two roses without thorns (Haustellum barbieri)

PholadidaeMuseo Malacologico Malakos

The "Angel Wings" pierce the hard clay beds of Florida (Cyrtopleura costata).

Oliva sericea glitchMuseo Malacologico Malakos

These "Olives" do not produce oil, but powerful toxins (Oliva sericea).

Conidae villageMuseo Malacologico Malakos

A small village of poisonous Conus.

The fan, Pecten jacobaeusMuseo Malacologico Malakos

The Pecten jacobaeus takes its name from St. James: it is the symbol of the pilgrims who walk the "Camino de Santiago de Compostela" on foot.

The archipelago, Patelle & FissurelleMuseo Malacologico Malakos

A mountain range of Patelle and Fissurelle.

Pectinidae SpectrumMuseo Malacologico Malakos

A group of Chlamys who remembers Mirò's palette.

Credits: Story
Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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