If you haven’t been following Tatsuya Tanaka on Instagram, you’re missing out. The miniature artist has been posting his work daily since 2011, when he first started his Miniature Calendar. The focus? Making everyday objects look like other things. The side of a CD can be an ice rink, in the same way a piece of broccoli can be a tree. It’s all a matter of perspective. And that’s what Tanaka’s work does: shifts the way you see things, in a creative, and often humorous, way.
Recently, Tanaka’s Minitaure Life exhibition was held at the Former Dalian Shipping Line building in Mojiko Retro, a historic port town in Kitakyushu. Having followed his work for years, I was pretty excited to see it up close, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Not only were photos allowed at the exhibition, they were encouraged. Of course, you can’t get the best quality shooting through glass (many of the works are encased) or in fixed fluorescent lighting, but it was still fun to play with perspective and angles. There were also several set ups for trick art photos, and unique works inspired by Mojiko. Here’s a look inside.
Tanaka shares his work daily on Instagram and his website. For current and upcoming exhibitions, click here.
