A new exhibit that showcases a micro-sculpted everyday object is something you might want to pencil into your upcoming schedule.
The new “The Pencil is Mightier” exhibit, opening Feb. 15 at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Dr., features 45 micro-sculpted pencils by international micro-sculptor Salavat Fidai. The sculptures range in size from about 2 to 6 millimeters, according to a press release from the museum.
Fidai uses a microscope and a small knife to carefully carve the creations from the tips of graphite rods in the everyday pencil. He has created micro-sculptures of characters and symbols from popular movies and shows like “Game of Thrones,” “Star Wars” and Marvel, as well as sculptures referencing nature, space and everyday objects.
The exhibit runs from mid-February until May 15. The museum is hosting an “Artist in the Galleries” event with a demonstration from Fidai from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17.
Salavat Fidai uses a microscope and a small knife to carefully carve creations from the tips of graphite rods in the everyday pencil.
Since starting his micro-sculpture journey several years ago, Fidai has created over 600 micro-sculptures. He often documents the process on TikTok to his 12.7 million followers, according to the museum.
“When I first started, I knew only a few artists making graphite micro-sculptures. Now there are hundreds,” Fidai said in the press release. “My dream is to create the first museum of graphite micro-sculptures for myself and other artists from around the world. I would like to inspire other artists to not be afraid to experiment and create art from various other materials. People can find beauty everywhere, even in ordinary, simple objects.”
The exhibit is a part of The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures' new “Artist Compensation Initiative,” which is “a commitment to compensating every artist who creates art for museum exhibitions,” the museum said.
“While this may seem a simple tenet, it is not one that is all that common in museum culture, which often asks artists to lend their work in exchange for the opportunity and visibility alone,” museum executive director William Russo said in the press release. “We need to take a step further and compensate artists for their art.”
The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for kids ages 4-17. For more information about the new “The Pencil is Mightier” exhibit, visit The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures' website.
