landscape
video
01:40
2022
Chloé Savard is a Montreal-based artist and microbiologist. Originally trained as a musician, she turned to microbiology as a way to explore new scientific and creative perspectives. Under the pseudonym @tardibabe on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, she uses a microscope and her iPhone to capture striking images and videos of microorganisms—transforming drops of water into mesmerizing visual landscapes. Her work blends art and science, revealing the hidden beauty and complexity of microscopic ecosystems while raising awareness about their fragility.
Her unique approach has earned her two honorable mentions in the 2022 Nikon Small World In Motion competition. She has also showcased her work at events like the SPHÈRE Festival at Canada’s National Arts Centre. Through collaborations with scientific and cultural institutions, Chloé shares her discoveries with a wide audience, helping to democratize microbiology and inspire a new generation of observers of the invisible world.

These freshwater jewels are green algae from the Desmidiaceae family and the Cosmarium genus viewed under polarized light and magnified over 400 times! What is amazing about polarization, a special illumination technique, is that it makes all the small crystal molecules shine like glitters. Cosmarium genus possess the most species among all desmids with around 1000 described species. Desmids can be found in various shapes and present diverse cell wall ornamentations which are characteristics that are crucial to identify and classify them. Although desmids look like two identical cells joined together, they’re actually two half cells, meaning they’re unicellular! They caught the attention of early microscopist because of their diversity and complex symmetry which makes them very aesthetically pleasing.
video
landscape
01:40
2022