Frankenfish 水底情深 シェイプ・オブ・ウォーター

FRANKENFISH

A Venetian Tale of Monsters, Misfits and Unlikely Friendships

The Story

In the forgotten corners of Venice, where ancient brickwork crumbles beneath centuries of secrets and the waters of the canals conceal more than they reveal, strange things are said to happen when the mist descends.

Somewhere between the world of the living and the realm of forgotten legends, an extraordinary creature has emerged from the depths of the Venetian lagoon.

They call it Frankenfish.

Neither entirely fish nor entirely monster, Frankenfish is a fantastical creation of scales, mechanical embellishments, elaborate fins and shimmering blue armour. Its origins remain a mystery. Some whisper that it was assembled by an eccentric Venetian inventor, a distant disciple of Victor Frankenstein, who sought to breathe life into the creatures of the sea. Others believe that it is an ancient guardian of the lagoon, awakened after centuries of slumber beneath the foundations of the sinking city.

Whatever the truth, Frankenfish is unlike anything Venice has ever seen.

With its fearsome jaws, elaborate aquatic armour and magnificent blue fins, the creature might easily be mistaken for a monster from the darkest depths of the Adriatic. Yet beneath its intimidating exterior lies a surprisingly gentle and curious soul.

And every monster, no matter how extraordinary, needs a friend.

An Encounter in the Mist

On a cold, misty morning during the Venice Carnevale, a rather peculiar gentleman wanders through the city’s deserted alleyways.

Dressed in an old-fashioned brown tweed suit, a flat cap, woollen gloves and sturdy leather boots, he appears to have stepped straight out of an adventure novel from another century. With his satchel and curious equipment, he might be an explorer, a scientist, or perhaps an amateur investigator of the supernatural.

His destination is uncertain, but his curiosity is limitless.

As he turns a corner beside a weathered Venetian building, he encounters something that no respectable naturalist could possibly explain.

Standing before him is Frankenfish.

For a brief moment, time stands still.

The gentleman stares at the extraordinary creature. Frankenfish returns his gaze with equal curiosity.

One has spent his life searching for the extraordinary.

The other has spent its existence being regarded as extraordinary.

Neither quite knows what to make of the other.

What follows is not a terrifying confrontation, but a delightfully awkward exchange between two unlikely acquaintances.

The gentleman gestures excitedly, perhaps attempting to communicate through the universal language of enthusiasm. Frankenfish responds with movements of its elaborate fins and clawed hands, seemingly just as intrigued by this strange, bespectacled land-dweller.

The encounter soon becomes something resembling a conversation.

Perhaps the gentleman has finally discovered the mythical creature he has spent years searching for.

Or perhaps Frankenfish has simply found someone who is not afraid.

The Friendship of Two Worlds

As the morning unfolds, the two unlikely companions explore the mist-covered streets and canals of Venice.

Against a backdrop of ancient doorways, peeling plaster, weathered brickwork and shimmering cobblestones, their contrasting appearances create a wonderfully surreal spectacle.

One belongs to the familiar world of human civilisation, dressed in the respectable clothing of a bygone era.

The other appears to have emerged from an impossible underwater kingdom, adorned in the extravagant splendour of an aquatic fantasy.

Yet the more time they spend together, the less extraordinary their differences become.

In one moment, the gentleman leans casually against an ancient wall while Frankenfish stands beside him, as though the pair have known each other for years.

In another, they appear engaged in an animated discussion, their gestures suggesting a lively disagreement over some matter of great importance.

And in perhaps the most touching moment of all, the two reach towards one another, their hands meeting in a simple gesture of friendship.

It is a small act, but one that transforms the entire story.

The monster is no longer a monster.

The stranger is no longer a stranger.

They are simply two curious souls who have found companionship in the most unlikely of circumstances.

The Monster Beneath the Mask

At its heart, Frankenfish is a playful reinterpretation of one of literature’s most enduring themes: the relationship between humanity and the creatures it labels monstrous.

Inspired by the Gothic imagination of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the project explores the idea that appearances often conceal a reality far more complex than our first impressions suggest.

Frankenfish may possess the terrifying features of a deep-sea predator, but its character is defined not by its appearance, but by its capacity for curiosity, trust and friendship.

The gentleman, meanwhile, represents the human desire to explore the unknown. Rather than fleeing from something he cannot understand, he approaches it with fascination and an open mind.

Their meeting becomes a gentle reminder that fear often arises from unfamiliarity, while understanding begins with the willingness to look beyond appearances.

And there could hardly be a more appropriate setting for such a story than the Venice Carnevale.

For centuries, the Carnival has been a celebration of transformation, disguise and the freedom to become someone—or something—entirely different.

Behind every mask lies another identity.

Behind every costume lies another story.

And behind the frightening face of Frankenfish lies a creature that simply wishes to belong.

The Artistic Vision

Photographed amidst the atmospheric streets and canals of Venice during Carnevale 2026, Frankenfish brings together elements of Gothic fantasy, Victorian adventure, steampunk aesthetics and whimsical storytelling.

The elaborate aquatic costume, with its metallic blue detailing, sculptural fish-like head and intricate fins, provides a striking contrast to the gentleman’s understated, old-fashioned attire.

The ancient architecture of Venice becomes more than a background. Its deteriorating walls, mysterious doorways and narrow passageways lend the photographs an atmosphere of forgotten history, as though the entire encounter has unfolded in a parallel version of the city.

Mist drifts across the cobblestones and canal waters, softening the boundaries between reality and imagination. The subdued blue-grey palette evokes the melancholy of a Gothic fairy tale, while occasional touches of warm light bring a sense of life and intimacy to the scenes.

Rather than presenting the characters as static Carnival portraits, the series places them within a developing narrative. Their gestures, expressions and interactions invite the viewer to imagine the conversations and adventures taking place between each frame.

The result is a visual story that moves between the mysterious and the humorous, the unsettling and the endearing.

Epilogue — A Venetian Legend

By the time the morning mist begins to lift, the two companions have disappeared into the labyrinth of Venetian alleyways.

No one knows where they went.

Perhaps the gentleman returned to his laboratory, carrying with him the greatest discovery of his lifetime.

Perhaps Frankenfish slipped quietly back beneath the waters of the lagoon, taking with it the memory of a most unusual friendship.

Or perhaps they are still wandering somewhere through Venice, sharing adventures that no one would ever believe.

And on certain misty mornings, when the city is quiet and the canals reflect the pale light of dawn, one might still glimpse two peculiar figures standing together beside an ancient doorway.

One wearing a brown tweed suit.

The other shimmering in magnificent shades of blue.

For in Venice, where the extraordinary so often masquerades as the ordinary, even monsters can find a place to call home.

And sometimes, the most beautiful friendships begin with the most frightening encounters.

Frankenfish is a period romantic dark fantasy photo shoot on a rainy morning at the Venice Carnevale.

Frankenfish — Venice Carnevale 2026

Photography and Creative Concept: Robin Yong

Talent: Quiterrie Lesaule, Kate Jenkins

An exploration of imagination, identity and the unexpected beauty of friendship, where Gothic fantasy meets the timeless magic of Venice.