This series consists in 9 photographic portraits of strange creatures, which were made out of pieces of meat and fish, and were given the names of existing or imaginary bacterias.

When exhibited, they are simply presented with the words: "Specimens photographed by Celia Marais".

Some of these specimens were modeled and animated, and integrated into the website for electronic musician Amon Tobin, www.amontobin.com.

The series is composed of 9 framed giclee prints. 7 of them are 28 x 35 cm, one is 35 x 35 cm piece, and one is 60 x 76 cm.

In Summer 2007, my boyfriend and I moved from New York City to San Francisco for work. Having never been to the West Coast, I wanted to actually experience the journey to the west, from the New World to what was, at one time, vast, unexplored and unknown. I thought that seeing what millions had seen before me, hoping for of a better life, would help me understand the country I presently call home. So we crossed the country by car. Also, the movers wouldn't take our plants.