Attention to detail takes on new significance when it comes to miniature art. Miniature might be an efficient solution to build worlds and perspectives that otherwise could not be achieved in life, something that is both real and unreal at the same time. The creation of small worlds gives artists the illusion of control, while viewers are riveted to these whimsical and adorable creations.

Miniature Calendar by Tatsuya Tanaka (also header image)

Japanese artist Tatsuya Tanaka creates pocket-sized scenes of everyday life on a daily basis. Back in 2011 he started to photograph his collection of diorama dolls with everyday objects to scale, this hobby unfolding into Miniature Calendar project.

Miniature Calendar by Tatsuya Tanaka

Tanaka found his style in ‘likening one thing to another’. Using familiar things whose scale is understandable and addressing familiar matters, he reimagines everyday objects to make them more fun. The artist posts a new work every single day which is a challenge in itself, a still more challenging task being to create ideas that exceed expectations.

Miniature art by Kendal Murray

Sydney-based artist Kendal Murray creates allegorical worlds of sculptures, miniature gardens and doll houses  imbued with social, symbolic and personal meanings. Her miniature works feature assembled found household objects such as purses, mirrored compacts, bobbins and mallets that create a nostalgic feeling.

Miniature art by Kendal Murray

Populated with miniature trees, plants, people, birds and bikes, they suggest numerous narrative possibilities and make viewers fantasize they are a part of the tiny scenes walking through the landscape discovering even tinier items which were not revealed at first sight.

Miniature art by Simon Brown

Simon Brown, a Gentleman Felter from a small village on the Northumbrian coast in the UK, finds old, beaten up and heavily used brushes and brings them back to life with tiny felt animals. He creates whimsical pieces filled with life, curiosity, love and danger.

Miniature art by Simon Brown

Miniature life-like figures are hiding in bristle stalks of grass which once were used by someone to keep the knots out of their hair.

Smallest office in the world by Grande. Ph: Dan Magatti (via designboom)

We have already written about spectacular small offices but the São Paulo based creative agency Grande has literally developed the smallest office in the world. The office encompasses small-scale desks, computers and plants, the whole composition built into an opening on the side of a wall of a building in a fashionable neighbourhood.

Smallest office in the world by Grande. Ph: Dan Magatti (via designboom)

The project is meant to convey a social message. While many companies nowadays have big and luxurious offices, the team chose to move on the opposite direction and ‘go small’ – though expressed in an ironic way.