Free Edmonton art exhibit explores 'playful perspective' of miniatures
A fun-size art exhibit is inviting Edmontonians to take a big look at the small things in life.
Minutiae, a new art show at the Alberta Craft Council (ACC), features smaller-than-life artworks from 54 Canadian artists and crafters.
Jill Allan of the ACC said taking ordinary objects and making them extraordinarily small is a way to reframe how we look at everyday life.
"The sort of playful perspective of making tiny things maybe makes it a bit easier for people to think about things differently," Allan said. "It's a more manageable scale."
Miniature artist Stacy Burnett takes her itty-bitty inspiration from the savory and sweet – and often suspicious-looking – jellied salads of the 1960s and 70s.
"I collect old cook books and I just really wanted to create the ones that gave me feelings," Burnett said. "Even though those feelings are revulsion."
Each wearable resin artwork presents a different flavour of coagulation on a 2.5 centimetre-wide pin.Different flavours of jellied salad miniatures from artist Stacy Burnett at the Alberta Craft Council's Minutiae art show on March 17, 2024. (Miriam Valdes-Carletti)
The individual ingredients are made first, and then the diminutive dish is assembled layer by layer much like its lifesize counterpart.
It can take more than 100 hours to make one pin, Burnett said, but she loves how the "beautiful and nightmarish" facsimilie salads capture the true essence of the aspic centerpiece.
"Presented at dinner parties, they themselves would have involved so much minutia in their creation. They would have involved so much work and detail," she added. "Flavour was an afterthought."
The dozens of artists work in a variety of mediums including 3D printing, metal, wood and ceramics. Some offer single items, like tiny textiles and cookware, while others have taken a super scaled-down approach to architecture.
"Some of the artists chose to make miniature settings like a miniature pottery studio, we have a tiny library, we have an alley," Allan said. "We have a miniature to scale replica of St. Martin's Mission School, which is a residential school in Wabasca Desmarais."
The Minutiae exhibit runs at the ACC located on 101 Avenue and 106 Street until June 9, and it's free to attend.
For more information visit the ACC website.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Judge in Trump's hush money trial threatened to throw witness out of court for behavior on stand
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.