The Universe in Thy Hand — on Adam Makarenko’s Exoplanets
For some, who are travelers, the stars are guides. For others they are no more than little lights in the sky. For others, who are scholars, they are problems… You, only you, will have stars that can laugh!
— The Little Prince
What is the most natural longing shared by all human beings? If you ask me, I’d say it’s the desire to be among the stars. May it be the growing fascination for astrology, or the scientific advancement in space exploration in recent years, or the countless literature, music, paintings, and sculptures entrusting the most beautiful, gentle, and sentimental parts of our nature to the vast universe… I can safely make the declaration: humans are drawn to the stars.
Feeling overwhelmed for the past few weeks and not in the mood of going out, I started browsing through virtual shows and stumbled upon Exoplanets, a virtual exhibition from Fermilab.
To be honest, I was more attracted by the institution’s focus on particle physics than the exhibition at the beginning. But not having another virtual show on my roaster to review, I decided to give this exhibition a chance.
And what a delightful surprise it turned out to be.
As I mentioned earlier, my rough skimming through the images made me believe it was another CGI exhibition. As cool as it was, I wasn’t that interested in the exhibition (and by all means, call me a snob. I can be sometimes, for sure.).
However, once I read the description, I couldn’t believe my eyes — turns out Exoplanets is an ongoing miniature photography series, aiming at an astonishing goal of 1,000 photography from the miniature universe physically existing in our reality!
Anyone passionate about filming would not be unfamiliar with miniature modeling and photography. After all, modeling used to be the only way filmmakers could bring magical things to life before CGI took over. These models were used to make the impossibles possible.
For example, Titanics used “a 1/20th scale miniature Titanic … for most of the shots that captured the ship at sail. The miniature was the most detailed, and most accurate, replica of the ship at that time and was 44.5 feet long. (Pascal, 2021)”
Nonetheless, as known to many, miniature modeling has largely been replaced by CGI, especially with today’s digital art technology. I can write a standalone essay just to go into my take on NFTs, digital art, and traditional art, but let’s spare everyone, myself included, from this endless debate. However, I would like to make one simple statement:
When it comes to the modeling vs. CGI conversation, there is one inarguable fact that distinguishes miniature modeling and gives it much more humanitarian artistic value than CGI: — the physicality of miniature modeling.
The fact that we can touch, move, and feel the models, even if in a limited sense since we obviously cannot walk inside them, regardless draws the line between reality and fiction, while blending the difference between existence and imagination at the same time. Even with all the technology to calculate how particles move in the wind and recreate a golden wheat field on an alien planet in a computer program, we still can’t replace the romance and sentiment from watching a miniature wheat field waving in the gentle wind.
If anything, Adam’s brilliant craftsmanship and artistic expression reminded us of a long-forgotten perspective on impossibilities. The exhibition was a fresh breeze through the over-saturated space-themed art scene, challenging the new stereotype that all things space must be done digitally.
And let’s not forget the fact he did not place a character in these images like many have been doing, making astronauts float through a neon-colored starflower field. Personally, I certainly appreciated his photographic approach. It allowed me to submerge myself in the brilliant world he has created and reconnect with the universe so vastly beyond our comprehension.
In the end, we shall reach the stars, not through a space expedition but through the deepest search through our soul, the appropriate laboring of our hands and our skills, and the relentless marching toward our dream — shining brighter than any nebula in the sky.
So, do yourself a favor.
When you have a moment, hop over to Exoplanets at Fermilab and drift through the universe Adam has created for us, knowing that everything you’re about to see indeed does physically exist in this world.
I promise. It’s a trip you won’t regret.
Have an exhibition you think I should check out? Email me at xiao.fariadacunha@xiaochineseart.com! I cover physical exhibitions in Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas, and virtual exhibitions!
References
“Adam Makarenko — Exoplanets.” Fermilab, November 15, 2021. https://events.fnal.gov/art-gallery/events/event/adam-makarenko-exoplanets/.
Nate, Berg. “The real star of Wes Anderson’s films? The model maker who meticulously crafts the signs and buildings.” Fast Company. Fast Company & Inc, October 21, 2021. https://www.fastcompany.com/90687548/the-real-star-of-wes-andersons-films-the-model-maker-who-meticulously-crafts-the-signs-and-buildings.
O’Neill, Phelim. “Moon’s Old-School Effects Should Be the Model for Sci-Fi FilmsPhelim.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, August 14, 2009. https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2009/aug/14/moon-sam-rockwell-special-effects.
Pascual, Ashley. “Miniature Effect: Using Miniature Models in Film to Create the Impossible.” Beverlyboy, Team Beverlyboy, 30 Aug. 2021, https://beverlyboy.com/filmmaking/the-miniature-effect-using-miniature-models-in-film-to-create-the-impossible/.
Saint-Exupéry Antoine de, and Katherine Woods. The Little Prince. United States: Ancient Wisdon Publications, 2018.
