As a follow-up from yesterday’s Picture of the Day, the Sifter was compelled to do a full feature on Takanori Aiba’s incredible miniature sculptures. The level of detail and intricacy in his work is truly mind-blowing. Each sculpture is like a miniature world, bursting with life and stories. I would love to see some close-ups if anybody has seen these in-person.

Below you will find a selection of Takanori’s work along with information on the artist and his other creative pursuits like restaurant design and maze illustration. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Ice Cream Packages Tower”
600mm x 400mm x 850mm
23.6″ x 15.7″ x 33.5″

craft paper / polyvinyl chloride / plastic
cheek veneer sheet / plaster /acrylic resin
acrylic paint / epoxy resin / wood stain

Available for sale. Contact here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Hotel de Michelin”
500mm x 500mm x 870mm
19.6″ x 19.6″ x 34.2″

styrene foam / wood clay / stone clay
copper line /epoxy putty /plastic
aluminium foil / dry flower / Japanese ash

Available for sale. Contact here

 

 

 

 
Takanori Aiba was born in 1953 in Yokohama, Japan. He studied Japanese traditional textiles and dyed clothing in Tokyo at Zokei University. He started his career as a freelance maze illustrator in 1978. His maze illustrations were serialized in “POPYE”, a Japanese fashion magazine for over 10 years.

Takanori then founded his own company, “Graphics and Designing Inc.”, in 1981. He expanded his artistic range to concept maker and art director for architectural spaces. Highlights include the total production of Shin Yokohama Chinese Noodle Museum, Muse Du Petit Prince De Saint Exupery A Hakone, and NINJA AKASAKA [which the Sifter actually did a post on, unbeknownst it was the same artist!).

Since 2003, Takanori has put his mind towards three dimensional art works which combines his knowledge and experience as both a maze illustrator and architect. In September of 2010, he had a solo exhibition, “Adventures of the Eyes” at Kakiden Gallery, Tokyo Japan with his works. [Source]

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Hawaiian Pineapple Resort”
420mm x 420mm x 700mm
16.5″ x 16.5″ x 27.5″

steel / resin clay / resin / plaster / plastic
balsa veneer sheet / epoxy putty / FRP /
styrene foam / LED lighting

Available for sale. Contact here

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Lighthouse-A”
180mm x 280mm
7.0″ x 11.0″

Japanese suiseki / plastic / wire
stone clay / resin / rubber

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Lighthouse-B”
200mm x 370mm
7.8″ x 14.5″

Japanese suiseki / balsa veneer sheet
wire / plaster / stone clay / plastic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Rock Island”
300mm x 300mm x 720mm
11.8″ x 11.8″ x 28.3″

Chinese suiseki / wood clay / stone clay
plaster / copper line / epoxy putty
plastic / paper / rubber / resin / Japanese ash

Available for sale. Contact here

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Bonsai-B”
420mm x 370mm x 480mm
16.5″ x 14.5″ x 18.9″

stone clay / resin clay / epoxy putty
hinoki veneer sheet / balsa veneer sheet
copper line / plastic/ resin / Japanese ash