I suddenly realised this morning that a collection of images I'd seen all had a thread running through them . The picture above was in
Crafts magazine and it shows the
Comedy Carpet pavement that has been created in Blackpool. Over the years Blackpool has been the stage for many well known comedians, each of whom has a catchphrase synonomous with them. All of these catchphrases, using typefaces from old handbills advertising the shows, have been formed into one large mosaic. The website for it is fascinating so please follow the link especially if you love typography and variety memorabilia but it was the scale of the two guys cleaning the mosaic floor that caught my attention. They look like miniature figures placed into a stage set. So do the figures in the photographs of the work of land artist
Jim Denevan. Following the link to his website will lead to a short film about how he works making patterns on ice, sand and wherever in such large scale. The tiny - but real - men that inhabit the photos I've selected serve to enhance that sense of scale but there are many more beautiful images to pore over.
This whole 'miniature awareness' thread was started a while ago when I found a link to Lisa Swerling's work in a copy of
Selvedge magazine. Lisa places figures in shadow boxes and plays with the scale difference. Have a look
here at more of her work. I only picked this image because it linked to my title of Little Men and they have given me an idea for a wedding present. My husband has a model railway collection in a small gauge called n gauge. Amongst his figures there is a bride and groom and a vicar all ready for a wedding bash in some train layout somewhere. I intend to rescue them from this fate and make my own shadow box gift for my friend's daughter when she gets married shortly. I shall incorporate text saying 'dearly beloved' or 'cariad' which is the Welsh for darling or loved one. I hope Lisa won't mind being used as inspiration.
Finally here are some of the photos from photographer
Christopher Boffili. Having lived with a model railway fanatic for years I can spot the figures sold for layouts a mile off and believe he has used them here to such wonderful effect. These brought a real smile to my face. Follow the link if you want to see more of his work. The little men are under the 'food' heading and the other photography on show really is great, so enjoy.
I suddenly realised this morning that a collection of images I'd seen all had a thread running through them . The picture above was in Crafts magazine and it shows the Comedy Carpet pavement that has been created in Blackpool. Over the years Blackpool has been the stage for many well known comedians, each of whom has a catchphrase synonomous with them. All of these catchphrases, using typefaces from old handbills advertising the shows, have been formed into one large mosaic. The website for it is fascinating so please follow the link especially if you love typography and variety memorabilia but it was the scale of the two guys cleaning the mosaic floor that caught my attention. They look like miniature figures placed into a stage set. So do the figures in the photographs of the work of land artist Jim Denevan. Following the link to his website will lead to a short film about how he works making patterns on ice, sand and wherever in such large scale. The tiny - but real - men that inhabit the photos I've selected serve to enhance that sense of scale but there are many more beautiful images to pore over.
This whole 'miniature awareness' thread was started a while ago when I found a link to Lisa Swerling's work in a copy of Selvedge magazine. Lisa places figures in shadow boxes and plays with the scale difference. Have a look here at more of her work. I only picked this image because it linked to my title of Little Men and they have given me an idea for a wedding present. My husband has a model railway collection in a small gauge called n gauge. Amongst his figures there is a bride and groom and a vicar all ready for a wedding bash in some train layout somewhere. I intend to rescue them from this fate and make my own shadow box gift for my friend's daughter when she gets married shortly. I shall incorporate text saying 'dearly beloved' or 'cariad' which is the Welsh for darling or loved one. I hope Lisa won't mind being used as inspiration.
Finally here are some of the photos from photographer Christopher Boffili. Having lived with a model railway fanatic for years I can spot the figures sold for layouts a mile off and believe he has used them here to such wonderful effect. These brought a real smile to my face. Follow the link if you want to see more of his work. The little men are under the 'food' heading and the other photography on show really is great, so enjoy.
7 comments:
As ever, a wonderfully informative post with brilliant images. LOVED the last one, it made me laugh out loud!
might have to go out and buy myself some mini men and have some fun photography sessions
Absolutely fascinating as always. Loved the little men on the peanut butter jar!
Thank you for ALL of these Lesley - I have wandered thru Brighton and have a few hours to go on those little folk! Thanks again. F
Fascinating stuff Lesley - the miniature people seem to have been on the move for some time and there are countless examples on The Little People Project blog. I have also been fascinated by the miniature figure graffiti which depict all sorts of characters encountering the hazards of city life. I think they must appeal to the same part of our imagination that loved the idea of fairies and 'Borrowers' and model railways as children and shows that we never grow out of it
What a treat Lesley!
I am very taken with the little people concept... tiny people... whatever that London one is called. These are fabulous... Love Jim Denevan's work ... I probably have posted his pictures without him in them... so that is something that you are finely tuned to noticing.
Look forward to seeing your wedding gift I must say!
Sophie
love that peanut butter jar... the little people open up all kinds of ideas, don't they?
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