Klaus Kemp

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LouiseScot
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Klaus Kemp

#1 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:02 pm

I just heard that the diatom slide prep aficionado Klaus Kemp sadly passed away at the end of May. You can see some examples of his diatom arrangements if you google him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwEtdRzv9gY

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

Hobbyst46
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Re: Klaus Kemp

#2 Post by Hobbyst46 » Wed Jun 15, 2022 8:47 pm

That is sad news. A great creator and artist. May his soul rest in peace.

Javier
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Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Re: Klaus Kemp

#3 Post by Javier » Wed Jun 15, 2022 9:16 pm

Sad news... those were remarkable skills he had.

Thanks for sharing that beautiful video. I found another one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxkbSk--EUY

LouiseScot
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Location: Scotland

Re: Klaus Kemp

#4 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Jun 15, 2022 10:06 pm

Javier wrote:
Wed Jun 15, 2022 9:16 pm
Sad news... those were remarkable skills he had.

Thanks for sharing that beautiful video. I found another one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxkbSk--EUY
His arrangements in the second half of the video are beautiful

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

apochronaut
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Re: Klaus Kemp

#5 Post by apochronaut » Thu Jun 16, 2022 12:41 am

Klaus Kemp was a rare, sought after pearl, in a sea slowly being polluted by extravagance and plastic. Continuing to achieve perfection with technology that most would consider antiquated, he quietly and perfectly brought order and precision to his wonderfull slides.
He has been called sometimes, the last great diatomacist , carrying a Victorian art to no less greatness than those in it's hayday. He will be in balance whereever he thus travels.

Javier
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Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Re: Klaus Kemp

#6 Post by Javier » Sat Jun 18, 2022 2:46 pm

apochronaut wrote:
Thu Jun 16, 2022 12:41 am
Klaus Kemp was a rare, sought after pearl, in a sea slowly being polluted by extravagance and plastic. Continuing to achieve perfection with technology that most would consider antiquated, he quietly and perfectly brought order and precision to his wonderfull slides.
He has been called sometimes, the last great diatomacist , carrying a Victorian art to no less greatness than those in it's hayday. He will be in balance whereever he thus travels.
This was inspiring. Thank you.

Greg Howald
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Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:44 am

Re: Klaus Kemp

#7 Post by Greg Howald » Sat Jun 18, 2022 2:50 pm

His amazing patience to be able to do what he did has always seemed so remarkable to me. With my disabled hands I could never do such a thing. It's wonderful that he could. Thank you Louise for letting us know. May he rest in peace. Greg

MichaelG.
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Re: Klaus Kemp

#8 Post by MichaelG. » Sat Jun 18, 2022 10:27 pm

As my tribute … here is a fine example of Klaus Kemp’s arrangement skills:

http://www.manchestermicroscopical.org. ... yslide.jpg

MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'

BramHuntingNematodes
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Re: Klaus Kemp

#9 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Sun Jun 19, 2022 3:35 am

I like his micromanipulator although I am still a little unsure how it is used.

https://www.diatomsireland.com/micromanipulator-intro/
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

MichaelG.
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Location: North Wales

Re: Klaus Kemp

#10 Post by MichaelG. » Sun Jun 19, 2022 5:17 am

That’s an excellent link, Bram … thanks for sharing it

As for how it’s used: There is a brief glimpse in this short video

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-cul ... 180952720/

and I think the best answer is “with extraordinary skill”

If I understand correctly, his device is effectively just a pre-settable fixed-point-in-space, which is an enabler for manipulation.

Watch very carefully at about 02:28 [blink and you’ll miss it]

MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'

Hobbyst46
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Re: Klaus Kemp

#11 Post by Hobbyst46 » Sun Jun 19, 2022 8:36 am

From personal experience, simpler micromanipulators do the job as well, the instrument details are not so important.
My own micromanipulator is just an up-down rocking needle, restrained with a micrometer screw.
And the donor and acceptor slides can be moved with free hand. On an inexpensive stereo microscope.
Having the diatoms on a darkened, top-illuminated, non-glass donor slide helps in lifting them up.

The technical challenges IMO are patience, glueing the diatom in place on the acceptor, and mounting with resin; the latter tends to displace and dislocate the diatoms.
There is a lot of literature on the subject, but easier read than done...

And above all one needs, as mentioned, creativity, skill and talent for fine art.

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