Opera Bat
In Stock
Description
Superb image the Opera Bat by Tim Flach first issued in his book More Than Human.
Now available to acquire Ed 2/5.
Framed to the artist specification and ready to hang.
For pricing and shipping please inquire here
This was originally taken in 1999. It was first published in Tim's book, More Than Human, in 2012 and has since been exhibited around the world.
Good bat, bad bat! On one hand, we have Batman, a vigilante who adopts the fearsome guise of a bat to strike terror into criminals, and on the other, Dracula, the infamous blood-sucking vampire. These contrasting figures show how deeply bats are embedded in our cultural consciousness, whether through popular media or historical mythology.
But what does it really mean to be a bat? Philosopher Thomas Nagel’s famous essay "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" explores the idea that, while we can imagine a bat’s actions—flying, echolocating—we cannot truly grasp its subjective experience. Our human understanding is inherently limited, as we can only imagine what it would be like for us to be a bat, notwhat it's like for the bat itself.
This image of the fruit bats with its 5ft wingspan (Pteropus sp.) plays with this perceptual gap.
By turning them upside down, they appear strangely human, forcing us to grapple with their otherness and familiarity at the same time. They seem more human, yet this visual manipulation also reminds us how little we cantruly comprehend their experience - making them more and less normal in our eyes
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Artist
Tim Flach is known for his captivating and thought-provoking images of the animal kingdom. He captures both the power and vulnerability of animals, highlighting their undeniable connection with humans and transporting audiences to a new visual perspective on wildlife and conservation.
Flach has five main bodies of work which have been exhibited worldwide, including Museums of Natural History, from Paris to Beijing. He has seven international award-winning books, translated into multiple languages.
Equus (2008) explores the family of creatures from Ass to Zebra, but is primarily horses.
DogsGods (2010) focuses on the ever-changing relationship between dogs and humans through the diversity of dog breeds.
More Than Human (2012) illuminates the ethical, scientific and political debates that surround our relationships with the natural world.
Evolution (2013) is an anthology charting a visual journey from jellyfish and insects to birds and land animals.
Endangered (2017) juxtaposes images with narratives, highlighting the harsh realities species face on the edge of extinction.
Who am I? (2019) is a children’s book adapted from Endangered. It introduces young readers to the plight of ten species at risk of extinction.
Birds (2021) begins with Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur that connects us to the origins of modern birds. This is followed by flightless birds, more specialised species such as hummingbirds and finally poultry, domesticated and shaped by us. The book is informed by his research into how empathy can lead to pro-environmental outcomes, sharing his subject’s beauty, character and personality.
Tim has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts London (Norwich) and an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Photographic Society. He is also a Senior Research Fellow (Artist in Residence) at Oxford University’s Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, and serves as President of the Association of Photographers.
He lives in London with his wife and son.
Dimensions
| Width | 70 |
|---|---|
| Height | 100 |
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