The Eye of the Needle Exhibition highlights micro miniatures by Flor Carvajal BY LAURA LATZKO Working in small scale with miniatures is a difficult process, but micro miniatures take this to the next level. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures will showcase micro miniatures by Colombian artist Flor Carvajal, who develops pieces so tiny that they fit within the eye of a needle or on the head of a pin. “In the Eye of a Needle: Micro Miniatures by Flor Carvajal” runs from February 23 to June 27. It features more than 20 pieces from Carvajal’s collection, including micro miniatures inspired by her religion, culture and “Looney Tunes” characters such as the Wile E. Coyote. This is Carvajal’s first show in the United States. Lisa Hastreiter-Lamb, the museum’s executive director and curator, says spotlighting artists like Carvajal is part of a larger effort to highlight miniatures from around the world. “We are interested in showing the diversity of different cultures and religions around the world and how miniatures are used by different cultures and represent different cultures,” Hastreiter-Lamb says. Micro miniatures are specialized, as more artists tend to work in larger scales such as 1/2 inch rather than 1/4 inch. Creating miniatures on the eye of a needle is even more niche. The museum previously had a micro miniature exhibition featuring sculptures on the tips of led pencils. Carvajal’s pieces will be displayed with magnifiers and
on frames and pedestals to better allow viewers to see them. The pieces will offer a glimpse into Carvajal’s work and personal life. “The work that we are exhibiting demonstrates not just the skill of the artist but also tells stories about what is important to her, in terms of her culture, her life in Colombia and the values of her people,” Hastreiter-Lamb says. The artist has been interested in arts and crafts, poetry and theater since a child and started her miniatures journey by creating a manger out of Styrofoam. She eventually switched to using synthetic resin when she challenged herself to make the smallest mangers in the world on a lentil, grain of rice and the heads of a nail and pin. Now her pieces take two to 15 days to create, depending on the required details. The artist uses very few tools when working on her micro miniatures. She mainly relies on her hands, a magnifier and needles. “Over time, she has learned the best materials to use and has continued to make pieces in the eye of the needle, on the side of the needle and on the tins of pinheads,” Hastreiter-Lamb says. “It doesn’t require a lot of tools to make something so small. It’s important because I think the assumption is that you have to have specialty tools. But really, it’s somebody being focused
and steady, letting go of trying to control the material and just allowing the process to happen.” Hastreiter-Lamb says while micro miniatures aren’t as detailed as larger miniatures, artists such as Carvajal are able to use intricate details in their pieces. “I think there’s a limit to how detailed you can get on that scale, but at the same time, she is putting in details like eyes,” Hastreiter-Lamb says. For the Carvajal exhibition, a Phoenix couple, David and Claudia Cook, have been assisting the museum. Many of the pieces on display are from their personal collection. The pair are longtime supporters of the artist. Claudia is from Colombia, and the couple often travels to South America to see her family. “It was through visiting her family that they happened to discover Flor’s work,” says Hastreiter-Lamb. “They loved it and got to know her. They started to collect a few pieces of their own and then decided that they wanted to help her get her work out into the United States.” Through May 2, the museum is also exhibiting “Tom Del Giorno: Itty Bitty Backlots of the Boroughs” in its Community Corner section, as he’s from Sahuarita. For the display, the artist created miniatures inspired by neighborhoods and
MORE INFO
What: “In the Eye of a Needle: Micro Miniatures” by Flor Carvajal When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays, February 23-June 27 What: “Tom Del Giorno: Itty Bitty Backlots of the Boroughs” When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays through May 2 Where: Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive Cost: $10.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors 65 and older, $7 for youth ages 4 to 17, free for children 3 and younger Info: 881-0606, theminitimemachine.org boroughs in New York City in the 1950s through 1970s. The museum is operating under social distancing guidelines. Timed-entry tickets are required to visit the facility, and guests and staff are required to wear face masks.
For its newest exhibition, Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures will display pieces by Flor Cavajal such as “La Independencia de Cartagena.” (Photo courtesy Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures)
Get your copy today! www.LovinLife.com
FEBRUARY 2021
|
5
