Seeds - by Michel Butor (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

French photographer Paul Starosta unveils the artistic splendour of seeds in 200 closeup photographs. From jewels to sculptures, these tiny wonders hide the vast potential of life.

Paul Starosta is a French nature photographer, famous for finding and highlighting the artistic beauties of nature. The 200 superb photographs in this book illustrate the splendor and complexity of seeds, including the very smallest specimens. Drawing on the collections of Jean Laty and the La Voie des Fleurs society in Draveil (France), they showcase the infinite shapes, colors and stunning details to be found in objects often ignored: some seeds look like flowers, others stones or sculptures, while still others suggest jewels fashioned by some imaginary goldsmith.

The almost magical beauty of these little masterpieces, which enclose the mystery of life in both the infinitely small and the infinitely large, is brought out by the play of light and shadow. These little wonders conjure up others and are reminiscent of works of art or architectural features. Human beings are themselves nature and have found inspiration in it to create their own bold and curious works.

At the end of the volume, miniature photographs are accompanied by scientific information on the seeds, their life, characteristics and different families.

About the Author

Paul Starosta is a biologist and photographer. Combining his twin passions of nature and photography, he has published over 40 award-winning books on plants and animals. He is the subject of issue 129 (2010) of Photo Poche, a series created by Robert Delpire and published by Actes Sud, which has become a yardstick in its field throughout the world.