The Diatomist

A short documentary by Matthew Killip, an English filmmaker now living in New York, about Klaus Kemp, one of the last practitioners of the Victorian art of Diatom arrangement.


Vimeo link.

Diatoms are tiny microscopic plankton that create intricate glass shells around themselves which the Victorians used to arrange into beautiful patterns.




Klaus Kemp has devoted his entire life to understanding and perfecting diatom arrangement and he is now acknowledged as the last great practitioner of this combination of art and science. The Diatomist showcases his incredible work.