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    Flicker through the eclectic beauty and biological diversity of 2,400 leaves

    Created by placing 2,400 different leaves in a stop-motion sequence, The Book of Leaves flickers through the collection of hues, shapes and species that the US animator Brett Foxwell found while collecting samples for his short film LeafPresser. The result is a worthy watch in its own right, drawing out the rich diversity, shared traits and natural beauty of the leaves we so often step over or otherwise take for granted.

    Via The Kids Should See This

    Director: Brett Foxwell

    2 February 2023
    Close-up of wood grain with concentric rings and natural variations in colour and texture.

    videoBiology

    A dazzling slice-by-slice exploration of wood exposes hidden patterns and hues

    2 minutes

    Close-up photo of butterfly wing scales in shades of orange, pink, white and black arranged in a mosaic-like pattern.

    videoBiology

    Brilliant dots of colour form exquisite patterns in this close-up of butterfly wings

    3 minutes

    Microscopic image showing a close-up view of a butterfly’s proboscis covered with vibrant pink and orange structures.

    videoBiology

    Butterflies become unrecognisable landscapes when viewed under electron microscopes

    4 minutes

    Photo of a deer in a snowy forest setting with trees and branches in the background.

    videoNature and landscape

    A year-long observation reveals the secret life of a tree and its animal visitors

    3 minutes

    White 3D-printed structure resembling a complex geometric flower on a black background.

    videoDesign and fashion

    The weird wonders of combining 3D printing with the maths of pinecones and sunflowers

    4 minutes

    Abstract blue and white painting of a plant silhouette on a dark background.

    videoEarth science and climate

    Images carved into film form a haunting elegy for a disappearing slice of Earth

    3 minutes

    Abstract night scene with vibrant colours; glowing trees line the horizon under a dark sky with a bright, distorted moon.

    videoFilm and visual culture

    An augmented-reality filter reveals the hidden movements all around us

    7 minutes

    Close-up photo of a giant leaf insect camouflaged as green leaves with brown edges perched on a plant, blending with the surroundings.

    videoEvolution

    When is a leaf not a leaf? When it’s got six legs and a face

    4 minutes

    Collage showing three historical family portraits taken in front of a landmark building; two are faded and one is damaged.

    videoTravel

    Beijing via salvaged family photos – ‘an epic portrait of anonymous humanity’

    6 minutes