In studying Mexican Papier Mache Sculpture and the works of Frida
Kahlo I have been awestruck by the little scenes
depicted in dioramas. These quaint boxes also take me back to visits to
the Science and the Natural History Museum
as a child where I gazed at scenes from long ago and pushed buttons to light up
features.
I have incorporated the diorama in my work to produce a
new and interesting variation. This adds a new dimension to my existing
portfolio and adds a fun and wacky element to the traditional border. I have
recently finished a religious version depicting
a Madonna with child. (See below).
These diorama boxes could depict a scene from your life
accompanied with relevant provided memorabilia (tickets, postcards,
photos, buttons etc.) surrounding the outer edge. The diorama below was
commissioned to celebrate a 50th birthday.
Prices for diorama commissions start at £55.00 up to
£150.00 plus delivery depending on
the complexity of the commission.
This diorama is a religious version shown with a Madonna and
child.
A recent anniversary mixed media mosaic
commission involved a free hanging mosaic heart utilising pieces of beautiful
pottery, many pieces with real 1930's designs. This was hung in the front of a
metal edged 3 dimensional box frame lined with poetry quotes and dates,
names and details embellished with jewels and glitter.
The message on the back was edged with red and
the piece was hung with red cord. This was my first attempt at mosaic and shows
I am always willing to try out new designs to answer your brief.
Or maybe, you would just like a pottery mosaic
heart. Just
email me to discuss your
very own commission.
Prices for this sort of design are approx
£65.00 and the size is about 8" square although frames vary as to what I have in
stock.
Please email
me to discuss your ideas. I am happy to come up with an original concept
before you commit to a final commission.
What are Dioramas?
A diorama is a perspective representation that creates a perfect impression of
space.
A diorama is not just a model.
The scale used for figures and bodies is
variable, and has to be adjusted to the perspective.
The background image is
often painted and blends in with the model constructions seamlessly.
Traditional dioramas require outstanding skills on the part
of the model-maker
and painter.
In Mexico, colourful
didactic dioramas made of stone and plaster have adorned churches since Aztec
times. These 3D graphic illustrations were produced to augment simple sermons
that overworked friars gave their converts in barely mastered native tongues.
These parabolas were situated as shrines on the side of churches and mesmerised
the peoples of the Aztec Empire with new messages from the victorious gods of
Catholic Spain.
In Mexico dioramas depict cultural events such as The Day of the Dead. Each Autumn the shops
are filled with artists’ colourful dioramas depicting miniature skeleton scenes ranging from weddings to funerals,
to feasts & fiestas. These are mostly fun and festive scenes made of
papier mache or created with clay and hand painted. Often, these are enclosed in a wooden painted box with a
glass cover. All year round dioramas and shrines are created portraying depictions of cult figures such as Frida Kahlo or religious
icons such as The Virgin of Guadeloupe. Decorated with glitter, tinsel and
ephemera these dioramas have become sought after gifts and treasures for
many collectors. Wooden dioramas often have highly decorated opening
doors.
Around the world, museums have used dioramas over the centuries to teach us about historical scenes, habitats and
vistas of moments captured in time.
The American Museum of Natural
History displays many habitat group dioramas., These show
precise depictions of geographical locations and careful, anatomically correct mounting of specimens.
These amazing dioramas are realistic depictions of a past world of animals,
their behaviour, and their habitats. To view these dioramas is to travel across
continents, and through time.
Dioramas
in Europe were made famous by the Frenchman
Jacques Louis Mande Daguerre who was a professional scene painter. During
the years of 1822 to 1839 he
helped to run The Diorama in Paris. This
was an auditorium displaying very large
paintings up to 22 metres in size.
These paintings depicted famous places and historical events. He and his partner
Charles-Marie Bouton painted realistic scenes on translucent paper or
muslin and used clever lighting effects to present vividly realistic tableaux.
These depictions of
views provided an illusionist style of entertainment and
utilised
trompe l'oeil effects and appropriate music as well as real objects,
animals, or people in front of the painted scenery.
A diorama strives to form
in miniature a representation of people, places and things that have shaped our
lives. Captured in 3D and frozen in time, dioramas have the awesome effect of
“being there”. From ancient times to the distant future if it can be imagined,
it can be recreated. Dioramas have been used to recreate such diverse
themes as scenes through history, battle scenes,
"Star Wars" and
popular children's stories.
Please also visit
>>Life
in a box
>>to
top
