David Beck

Today's MINI story is more fantasy than scary, yet, still October worthy. There is a level to the world of miniatures that many of us do not have the rare talent it takes to envision and create the types of miniatures by David Beck. Beck is an American artist who creates a fascinating world of hidden scenes, boxes and drawers that hold secret sculptures, creatures and rooms. He also sculpts these intricate animated creatures that move and wiggle using a crank mechanism or tremble from the simple movement of the object. Beck’s works are full of hidden surprises: drawers that reveal minute contents; hand-painted books nested within artfully decorated boxes; and creatures that wiggle their legs, flap their wings and bob their heads with a turn of handcrafted gears. The resulting works are often humorous and whimsical to the point of absurdity, but Beck feels firmly grounded in reality. “I don’t consider myself to be constructing fantasies,” he says. “It all makes sense to me.”
He was commissioned to create MVSEVM, a sculpture to commemorate the reopening of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in July of 2006. This exquisite and complicated piece was inspired by the American Art Museum's Patent Office Building, the model opens to reveal miniature artifacts and artworks as well as drawers containing hidden treasures. This piece is unbelievable. I am making note to add this to my MINI bucket list to go see! Visit his site to see more detailed photos. http://davidbeckartworks.com/mvsevm All I can say is WOW. ~judy www.justminiaturescale.com