…and it’s THURSDAY Gallery!
It was love at first sight when my fifth grade art teacher showed me how to make a shoe box diorama and from that day forward it was looking at life in miniature. Somehow it made the world not only magical, but manageable. Well, this artist, Tatsuya Tanaka who works in mitate (pronounced me-tah-tay, the Japanese word for “to look again”) uses everyday objects as I like to do except he takes it up a level…or two…or three…by using 3D printed figurines. Watch this 2-minute video to see how he does it:
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Check out Tanaka’s up-to-date MINIATURE CALENDAR
for a deeper dive:
Japanese Artist Creates Amazing Miniature Dioramas Every Day for 10 Years
When trees became broccoli: The small world of Japanese mitate artist Tatsuya Tanaka
And take a look at how I do it:
purchase my book: A Touch of Cactus.
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Parent/Teacher Connection:
This connection for Grades 6-8 is a bit above my usual pre-K/elementary scope, but it’s a really nice PDF aligned with the Oregon Department of Education:
Portland Japanese Garden
Lesson Plans for the Classroom
If you’re interested in Japanese gardens, I’ve been to these:
Kubota Garden Foundation, Seattle WA
Ashland Japanese Garden OR
Pizza Box Books 