Travels Through Paradise
“The Way the World Should Be” exhibition and curation
Combining various professional and amateur domaines of miniature building, a 55 meter train track showcased “Travels Through Paradise” at Platform 21, Amsterdam. From architects and architectural model builders, digital artists and gamers, product designers, sculptors and train hobbyists, I accumulated 55 builders to come together to shine a spotlight on the passion and expertise of model-builders and to reconsider the future of hobby in an economy of leisure and entertainment that is favoring the digital over the physical. Themes such as extended time frames, amateur and professional expertise, perfectionism, obsession, imitation and interpretation were driving themes revealing the various qualities to consider in designing for the domaines of work and play. The 2-week production time was as important as the end result, with live workshops, discussions, and lectures by participants. International Guest Artist: Kim Adams, Toronto.
Travels Through Paradise offered visitors a cinematic trip through the 55-metre fantasy landscape. The train carried a camera filming the scenery rolling by outside the window. This view was projected life size on Platform21’s walls, taking you on a ride through paradise.
Combining various professional and amateur domaines of miniature building, a 55 meter train track showcased “Travels Through Paradise” at Platform 21, Amsterdam. From architects and architectural model builders, digital artists and gamers, product designers, sculptors and train hobbyists, I accumulated 55 builders to come together to shine a spotlight on the passion and expertise of model-builders and to reconsider the future of hobby in an economy of leisure and entertainment that is favoring the digital over the physical. Themes such as extended time frames, amateur and professional expertise, perfectionism, obsession, imitation and interpretation were driving themes revealing the various qualities to consider in designing for the domaines of work and play. The 2-week production time was as important as the end result, with live workshops, discussions, and lectures by participants. International Guest Artist: Kim Adams, Toronto.
Travels Through Paradise offered visitors a cinematic trip through the 55-metre fantasy landscape. The train carried a camera filming the scenery rolling by outside the window. This view was projected life size on Platform21’s walls, taking you on a ride through paradise.
The most important part of the exhibition was "the getting there". Inviting many people to the table was essential to make a variety of impressions of paradise, but as importantly bringing people together from all walks, who love miniature building. Train hobbyists, artists, architects, product designers, children, jewelery designers, art and sculpture students, and first timers made this track happen. During the 2 week build up, people of all backgrounds could share their ideas and building tips with each other. Train hobbyists such as Jaap Vriend put on tree making workshops inspiring us that the love is in the details. Every tree is different, every leaf is too. Architecture model makers showed their work, and Artists such as Kim Adams explained his use of miniatures for model making and 1:1 scaling up.
The Build Up
Finished Meters
photos: Frans Parthesius
Exhibition Hall
