It was in November 2014 when I walked in the historic center of Lyon. I had just "steal" a few hours from my business trip to explore the area by holding my camera and capturing anything I found interesting in front of me.
Writing this short article, I struggled to decide in which sector should be placed. I finally decided to put in Architecture thinking the etymology of the word which is derived from the Greek words Archi (Principle) and Tehni - Techtoniki ( Art - Construction & Creation).
By chance I found myself in the rue Saint Jean 60 and I saw some people looking forward to one showcase. I thought that something good must be there and thus I approached. "O La La! What is this?" I felt exactly the same as when I first saw a 3d image. Love at first sight! I lifted my camera, stacking on the glass to avoid reflections and started to shoot.
Construction details everywhere, ambient lighting, wonderful textures and perspective composition convey to the viewer the pleasure of the creator!
It is incredible that all this detail is contained in a cube around dimensional 40X40X30cm. I walked in the lobby of the museum and kept surprising by the exhibits.
3D reality were the two words that wandered into my mind at that moment. A source of inspiration and creativity that I would have to share with all those who were not or will not have the luck to visit this amazing place.
Created by miniaturist artist Dan Ohlmann, the Musée Cinéma et Miniature presents two rare and exclusive collections:
1. Over 100 miniature scenes exquisitely crafted by world-renowned miniaturists and reproducing daily life settings with hyperrealism.
2. A film exhibition, one-of-its-kind in Europe, that focuses on special effects techniques. Featuring over 300 original film props and artefacts, this educational display uncovers the magic behind the greatest film studios.
Formerly a cabinetmaker, Museum’s Director Dan Ohlmann starts creating scale furniture in Paris in 1985. Fascinated with the Art Nouveau style, he creates in 1987 a 1/12th-scale model of the world famous Chez Maxim’s restaurant in Paris. Combining artistic talent and architectural knowledge, this hyper real piece comes as a surprise in France. Soon, the miniaturist’s work catches the eye of the media and the general public.
Dan Ohlmann and other miniaturist artists are daily on work in their workshop in the museum.
At the moment, the staff is working on a meticulous scale reproduction of the Brasserie Georges, a landmark Lyons restaurant. This intricate piece will require hundreds of workdays.
I hope that you liked this article and that you found another interesting place around the world which you have to visit in the future ;)