Porphyra laciniata, var: umbilicus on "Chondrus crispus" 1851 - 1855

Editor: So, this print is called "Porphyra laciniata, var: umbilicus on 'Chondrus crispus'," and it was created between 1851 and 1855 by Anna Atkins. It's a cyanotype, which gives it this incredible blue hue. It reminds me of old botanical illustrations, but the colour adds this otherworldly vibe. What catches your eye most about it? Curator: Well, firstly, the deepness of that Prussian blue. Atkins wasn’t just documenting seaweed; she was creating something aesthetically captivating. Imagine the smell of saltwater, the dampness of the darkroom...she was a pioneer using photography as a means of scientific recording and of pure art. Does the seaweed look abstract, or purely informational, to you? Editor: I see both, actually! The contrast of the delicate seaweed against the intense blue creates this beautiful silhouette effect. But it is also a photograph that is recording a specific type of seaweed, right? Curator: Exactly! It's straddling that line so brilliantly. And that, for me, makes it incredibly compelling. It makes you think about the beauty of science and the science of art. These cyanotypes were about bringing to light a world unseen, about poetry in scientific exploration. Editor: That's a lovely way to put it—poetry in scientific exploration. Curator: What about you? How did you feel discovering it today? Editor: Seeing it in person versus in a book is impactful, for sure! The texture of the paper gives it another layer. I see what you mean by a scientific recording AND pure art. Curator: Yes! Exactly. To me it embodies this fusion of scientific precision and almost dreamy, abstract beauty. Editor: I learned so much; the collision of art and science – that's the heart of it.