Defining life is a complex question, and quite controversial as well. A commonly accepted definition can be put as follows (according to Wikipedia): "Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased (death), or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate". Of course, those "signaling and self-sustaining processes" would need to be precised, which is even harder to do, as many entities are along a grey line regarding the implied physiological functions (for example viruses and other replicators, various hybrids, artificial/mechanical life, etc.)
Regardless of those considerations, the origin of life is a fascinating question. When I was a kid, I heard at school about the infamous Miller–Urey experiment, also known as the "Primitive Soup" experiment: it probably entirely changed my vision of life. Of course, I am no chemist nor biologist, so details are beyond my understanding, but the idea that there is a recipe for life is, again, fascinating to me: put the right ingredients in the right pot, wait a bit, and tadaaaa! Life appears. It is almost like creating "something" from "nothing". The Holy Grail of any artist ;-)
Of course, abiogenesis (which is how this process is called) can be disturbing to some, as it desecrates life, considering that it is a logical and mechanical consequence of the appropriate starting conditions. Life would not be that special after all. Personally, I like this idea a lot, as it is a humble approach of the importance of our own existence, as human beings. After all, our species believed once that Earth was the center of the universe, while we now know it is an insignificant dust lost in the immensity. Similarly, I tend to think that human beings are nothing that special, merely the result of a mechanism started a few billions years ago. I do realize this vision may not be necessarily shared by everyone, but I wanted to express that point of view in my "Primitive Soup" image.
I must say I had great fun creating it. Everything started Saturday July 27th 2013 around 6.00am. My wife and I were awakened by thunder and lightnings. The large droplets of rain were hitting the windows loudly, and after a few minutes, she said to me: "You should go take some lighting photos, these could be useful for the next project". A few minutes later, I was standing half-naked in front of our house, with the camera on a tripod, asking myself what I was doing here. The storm was almost over, but I managed to obtain a couple of shots. While doing so, contemplating the electricity in the sky reminded me that Primitive Soup experiment: this is the moment I decided to create an illustration of that concept.
In the afternoon, I wanted to shoot underwater photos. However, I do not have a housing for my DSLR, nor any waterproof camera. So I took an empty 50 liters aquarium I have at home, and put my camera in it. Then I stepped into the river next to my house, and used the aquarium as a little submarine: worked like a charm! The photos were mostly muddy and blurry, but it was exactly what I needed texture-wise.
Then, back at home, I installed the aquarium in my garden, brought some studio strobes, in order to shoot various photos of black ink sinking into water. Quite an easy setup, and the shapes you get are remarkable. I created the left leg combining several of these photos. The day after, I posed in my studio for the emerging human trunk. I covered myself with mud and water: an interesting experience ;-) Finally, the right leg was created using bread dough, either stretched by hand, or installed on metallic wires to mimic morphological shapes. My wife was of a great help on that: she designed the pseudo-DNA helix as well as the calf part.
I am very happy I was able to translate my thoughts into that image. Of course, it is obviously not at all a realistic approach, rather a digested vision of my mind. I hope some will find it interesting. In any case, thanks for watching, I appreciate your attention a lot.
ETA: The image got much attention wherever I published it, and even already obtained a "Daily Deviation" award; I believe I am getting better at translating my thoughts into images, which makes me happy!
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Wow this is absurdly amazing, please tell me this is available for print somewhere.
Thank you very much. Yes you can get a print through either 1X.com or DeviantArt.com, depending on the kind of print you would like. Feel free to PM me if you need any information.
If you ever have a your own photo exhibition in France please let me know. I'm not too far away and I'd make a point of coming over. As for the image.. what can I say? Excellent doesn't seem enough...
Seriously? You'll have no idea how much I laughed when I saw the title of your photo knowing what I had just entered. It's like going to your first pet show, and there's the guy with a big, Irish wolfhound, and you're sitting there with your pet rock. :)
I couldn't even get my globs of cream of mushroom soup to look like anything, and you come up with something like this.
All I can do is shake my head in wonderment until I get dizzy.
Fantastic execution of your vision. Perhaps someday I will be able to imagine such a complex fantasy and be able bring it to life in Photoshop (but I expect probably not). Congrats on the ribbon.
I think my concept of primordial soup is more like chicken noodle than oozy gooey :-)
I can't say I love this, because it makes me feel all sorts of uncomfortable, icky things. And it is rather gruesome and macabre, and a bit violent. Everything "creation" likely is. But man, I sure do appreciate your gift and your ability to express your vision. Congrats on the ribbon.
I love this image. I believe it is probably your most advanced creation yet. Both in the technicals and the meaning behind the image. Fan-bloody-tastic!!!!
I think I've said this before, but I would LOVE to see a video of you doing all your pre-production, production and post-production activities. If I ever get over to France, I will pay you a surprise visit as soon as an expert challenge is announced. ;-)
More like the end than the beginning, despite the DNA helix. One obviously shouldn't dip one's feet into the primordial soup...
Anyway, fascinating work. As a guess, I would say it's gyaban's handwriting.
This is absolutely bizarre - and I do so love it. Very unique and quite unsettling but the best photography makes you feel something and this definitely does.
Primordial Soup
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