Nanoscapes

Two shorts exploring the world of evolutionary biology through the wings of butterflies.

Biopixels

Biopixels explores the world of evolutionary biology on the microscopic scale. Using the latest light microscope technology, butterfly wings become micro-mosaics.

Butterflies and moths comprise 12% of all species known to man (180,000 species!), and their seemingly endless biodiversity is visually translated on their wings through color and pattern variation.

The images in this film have not been altered but were animated to demonstrate both subtle and dramatic evolutionary development and variation.

Watch Biopixels on Vimeo or YouTube.

Nanoscapes

Making the invisible, visible!

Images of butterfly wings at the microscopic scale are stunning, and at the nanoscopic scale they become otherworldly.

Shot at two cutting edge research labs, the images in Nanoscapes were taken with light and electron microscopes at magnifications up to 50,000x.

The elaborate nanoscopic topography of butterfly wings has produced a wealth of data on how structural coloration works, and Nanoscapes is an artistic rendering of exciting new research focused on how butterflies actually build these remarkable, infinitesimal landscapes.

Watch Nanoscapes on Vimeo or YouTube.

Upcoming screenings

Film festival screenings

Biopixels

On tour via the Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Nanoscapes

Additional screenings and recognition

Biopixels

Nanoscapes

Credits

Directed by
Kristina Dutton
Produced by
Kristina Dutton
Arnaud Martin
Animated by
Brandon McFarland
Music by
Kristina Dutton
Nate Kinsella
Music recorded by
Nate Kinsella
Beau Sorenson
Music mix and mastering
Jeff Kolhede
Microscope imaging
Kristina Dutton
Arnaud Martin
Nipam Patel
Anna Ren
Vincent Ficarrotta
Ling Sheng Loh
Chris Day
With support from
Nipam Patel
George Washington University
Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory
New Music USA
The National Science Foundation
Scientific advisors
Arnaud Martin
Nipam Patel

Press kit

A press kit for the project can be found here.

Contact

Email us hello@nanoscapesfilms.com.

For more on the research featured in these films visit the Martin Lab at George Washington University, and the Patel Lab at University of Chicago's Marine Biological Laboratory.