Florian W. Mueller's "Samsa": A Stunning Tribute to Insects

Golden A' Design Award Winner Captures the Bizarre Beauty of Insects

Named after the protagonist of Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis", "Samsa" is a part of the collection NEGLECT, featuring photographs of animal specimens, most of which are extinct or critically endangered. Mueller's intention with this project is to highlight the reality of insect extinction and to present the sometimes bizarre beauty of these creatures in a new light.

The project was realized using digital photography with the Leica SL2 system and a 105mm Macro lens. Utilizing the "Multishot" function of the Leica System, Mueller was able to produce giant 185-megapixel pictures of these small creatures. The resulting artworks are available in two sizes: 80 x 60cm and 120 x 90 cm, all in strictly limited editions of 10/5 pieces.

The process of creating "Samsa" was meticulous and required careful planning. Mueller spent about half a year planning the project, four days on site photographing, and another two weeks in post-production. The project was carried out in Brandenburg, near Berlin in Germany, with the permission and support of the Senckenberg German Entomological Institute.

One of the main challenges Mueller faced was creating a small table-top studio situation to photograph the fragile prepared insects. He wanted to touch them as little as possible due to their delicate nature. Despite these challenges, Mueller, with the help of Thomas Schmitt and Mandy Schroeter, was able to successfully capture the intricate details and vibrant colors of these insects, presenting them as works of fine art.

"Samsa" is not just a collection of photographs; it's a call to action. It's a reminder of the beauty that is being lost due to extinction and a plea for conservation. As Mueller himself puts it, "Insect extinction is very real and not a made-up story." Through "Samsa", he hopes to change the way viewers perceive these creatures and to inspire action towards their preservation.