SINGAPORE – Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree” or “the Group”) is pleased to present, Micro Monsters, a photography exhibition featuring rare and lesser-known marine species captured by award-winning photographer Oliver Spiesshofer. The public exhibition will run from 7 to 20 July 2026 at VivoCity, Level 1, Southeast Boulevard (near sen-ryo).

It features 26 photographs taken in the waters off Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, the Philippines, and Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia, at depths ranging from five to 30 metres. At these depths, Spiesshofer uses highly detailed macro photography to capture features invisible to the naked eye. The photographs highlight exceptional detail, including the skin textures, eyes and fine hairs of rare, elusive and lesser-known marine species. Many of these encounters are considered “bucket-list” sightings for both casual and professional divers.

Spiesshofer also illustrates the fragility of these ecosystems in the photographs, raising awareness of the need to protect Southeast Asia’s marine biodiversity. These micro marine creatures exist within well-balanced, interdependent ecosystems and are sensitive to disruption, which can have wider impacts across the ecological chains.

Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree, said, “Micro Monsters is presented as part of Mapletree’s Corporate Social Responsibility Framework under the Environment pillar. Through this exhibition, Mapletree seeks to increase awareness of marine biodiversity and cultivate public appreciation of lesser‑known marine species, while making conversations around marine conservation more accessible to a wider audience.”

Spiesshofer added, “The smallest of these elusive creatures are only a few millimetres in size and easily overlooked. At this scale, even the slightest movement from breathing can shift the camera’s focus and framing. However, all the effort is worthwhile if it allows more people to appreciate Southeast Asia’s lesser-known but vibrant marine ecosystem.”

In June 2026, Spiesshofer received a Special Mention in the “Our Ocean” category at the Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year Competition 2026, as part of the Ocean Geographic Award of Excellence.

Spiesshofer will be giving a talk on his experience capturing these rare marine creatures and the importance of marine conservation. The free session will be held at the library@harbourfront, Programme Zone 1, VivoCity, on 12 July (Sunday) from 11am to 12pm. Interested parties can register for the talk via Eventbrite. Limited seats are available.

Spiesshofer began his passion for photographing marine creatures while snorkelling. Since then, he has accumulated over 900 dives across more than 200 sites, capturing over 10,000 images and documenting over 1,000 species through his lens, majority with depth information and GPS location included.

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