Children of the Field

Scientific Name: Betta splendens
Common Names: "Betta" or "Siamese Fighting Fish"
Artist: Christian Arnold
Technique: Flameworked Borosilicate with CFL and UV reactive coloured glass

I've had the pleasure and privilege of having this species of fish in my care and breeding them successfully several times over the years. While this fish's appearance is certainly impressive and beautiful, their behavior is no less fascinating. It's undoubtedly one of the instantly recognisable species of fish and will without fail be available at any aquarium store.
The wild form of Betta splendens originally comes from South East Asia, mainly Thailand, where it has been bred for centuries for its beauty, as well as its aggressiveness. It occurs in slow flowing and still waters such as ponds and rice fields and the Thai and Khmer people call them the "Children of the Field".
Betta splendens comes from the anabantid group of fishes, which possess a "labyrinth" organ in their head region. This operates somewhat like a rudimentary lung, allowing them to breathe atmospheric air and to live in oxygen starved waters. During mating time, the male builds a nest at the surface, by gulping air and forming thousands of small bubbles enveloped in mucous. This frothy nest is anchored amongst the emerging stalks, leaves and flowers of aquatic plants. Once a female, in condition, is enticed under the nest the mating dance begins. The pair begin by circling around each other (as represented in this work), creating forms reminiscent of the motions described by Yin and Yang and finish with the male clasping the female around the midriff, facilitating the. After the release and fertilisation of the eggs, the male will quickly collect the eggs in his mouth and insert them into his bubble nest. After several matings, he will chase off the female and guard the eggs until they hatch and the fry become free swimming.
I've included some botanical representations in this work and the decision to make them in transparent colour was deliberately made so as to enhance the overall work, but not detract from the main focus, the mating B. Splendens. The plants are represented by their inflorescence and are Nymphea spp and Anubias barteri at the top, to which is anchored the bubble nest.
The work is not only a sculptural representation of the Betta splendens in the early stages of their mating ritual, but also a functional perfume flacon. The challenge was to incorporate an asymmetrically free flow into a harmonious form which also comprises very formal and traditional glass shapes. I had to really think about whether I should do this, but then kept in mind that the Blaschkas often did not have firsthand experience with the specimen they were creating, but were quite heavily reliant on the work of their friend, naturalist and artist, Ernst Haeckel. So the Blaschka's work, interestingly enough, often departs from the arrival point of another artist and cannot just be seen as representations of nature directly, but must, perforce, often be viewed through the lens of another artist.