World of hobbies

"Hidden Worlds" by Andrey Shabalin

On 24 November, an exhibition of photographs by macro, nature and landscape photographer bioecologist Andrey Shabalin opened in the exhibition hall of the JINR Cultural Centre "Mir". Andrey was born in New Zealand, grew up and lives in Dubna. He is fond of ferns, studies their evolution and morphogenesis. Most of the photographs presented have been taken in the vicinity of Dubna.

"Flora is represented by the molecular structure of the petals of various flowering plants, leaves, openwork fronds (a leaf-like spore-bearing organ in ferns). When mentioning flora, we usually imagine flowering plants, but plants that have no ability to bloom are no less interesting. Of these, only more than 10000 species of ferns there are in the world...

The microfauna of Dubna is very diverse and numerous. To immerse yourself in its atmosphere, just stop and take a closer look. What you see in these creatures is only up to your imagination... Appreciate these hidden living worlds under your feet."

This is how, lyrically and with love, Andrey Shabalin presents the characters and objects of his photographs in the preface to the exhibition. He has got a well-known surname in Dubna, thanks to his grandfather, Chief Researcher of FLNP JINR Evgeny Shabalin. But Andrey did not follow his grandfather and father in the area of engineering and physics. I ask E.P.Shabalin about it, "Did you try to fascinate Andrey with engineering and technology specialties?"

- I tried, but I couldn't do it. He has had an aversion to physics and mathematics since childhood.

- It's not that it's a strong aversion," Andrey joins the conversation, "It's more likely that an inclination towards biological sciences has manifested itself more.

E. Sh.: Yes, he has loved beetles and spiders, weak creatures since childhood that is probably why he has become an ecologist to help them live.

- And did your grandfather instill love for photography?

A. Sh.: Partly yes. I had got my first camera at the age of eight, it was a digital camera, one of the first Canon models, bought before I was born. There was some kind of amateur passion for photography. In 2008, I took it on a trip and started shooting for the first time. And my grandfather helped me with advice when I tried to do film photography. It took me many years, probably by the ninth grade, I started getting serious about photography and later I started to get more and more into it and here's what it has ended up with. I was asked to hold this exhibition so that more people could see my photographs.

Two generations of Dubna photographers: E.P.Shabalin and S.I.Negovelov share their experience with the author of the exhibition.

- Not only flora, but fauna and insects are also represented here.

- I have divided the exposition into two logical parts - flora and fauna. And I am probably more interested in flora, for my scientific activity concerns botany, pteridology, this is the science of ferns.

- And did you become interested in ferns after you had seriously studied photography or before that?

- Rather in the process.

E. Sh.: Tell the truth, how you became interested in ferns! Ferns grow in his homeland, he was born in New Zealand.

A. Sh.: That's rather another reason, it is not the main one. It is love of their unusual life process and due to the fact that more attention is paid to flowering plants. It's a shame for plants that are much older than flowering ones, yet at the same time they are not drawn the attention they deserve.

- Yes, they are the most ancient plants. Are the ferns growing in New Zealand larger than the ones growing in the vicinity of Dubna?

- Yes, there are tree-like ones that we don't have here. Several species also grow in our forests.

E. Sh.: At home, in his small room, over 50 varieties of ferns grow. He has three paludariums.

A. Sh.: This is a kind of aquarium, specially equipped for keeping ferns. This is my collection.

- I remember, Evgeny Pavlovich was fond of cacti, after all, some attachments were transferred to his grandson.

- I have also paid attention to cacti in my time.

- And how does this relate to your future work or do you work?

- I work at FLNP JINR and do my master's thesis, my research is related to the irradiation of ferns in our band what happens to them under the impact of gamma radiation.

Immerse yourself in the amazing worlds discovered by Andrey Shabalin. The exhibition will be open until 18 December.

Olga TARANTINA,
photo by the author