Russian miniaturist Nikolai Aldunin creates works of art so tiny, a microscope is needed to see them.
Craftsman
Aldunin poses in the work area of his Moscow apartment. His tools include superglue, syringes and toothpicks. The microscope dates to 1985.
Aldunin poses in the work area of his Moscow apartment. His tools include superglue, syringes and toothpicks. The microscope dates to 1985.
Caravan
Who says you can't put a camel through the eye of a needle? Aldunin has fit seven through this one. The artist works between the beats of his heart, in order to keep his hands perfectly still.
Who says you can't put a camel through the eye of a needle? Aldunin has fit seven through this one. The artist works between the beats of his heart, in order to keep his hands perfectly still.
Gun on a Matchstick
The artist worked for six months to create this gold AK-47. It consists of 34 individual parts.
The artist worked for six months to create this gold AK-47. It consists of 34 individual parts.
Tiny Tank
This sculpture rests on the open face of a sliced apple seed.
This sculpture rests on the open face of a sliced apple seed.
Russian Samovar
This microscopic replica rests on a needle next to a grain of sugar
This microscopic replica rests on a needle next to a grain of sugar
Precious
Both the tank and the Kalashnikov are crafted of gold. So far, the artist has had a hard time finding buyers for his work.
Both the tank and the Kalashnikov are crafted of gold. So far, the artist has had a hard time finding buyers for his work.
Ready to Ride
Aldunin takes his inspiration from a famous Russian tale about Levsha — the name means "left-handed man" — a Tula craftsman so skilled he is able to put horseshoes on a flea. Aldunin's version features not only the shoes — all of them held in place by three nails — but a saddle and stirrups as well.
Aldunin takes his inspiration from a famous Russian tale about Levsha — the name means "left-handed man" — a Tula craftsman so skilled he is able to put horseshoes on a flea. Aldunin's version features not only the shoes — all of them held in place by three nails — but a saddle and stirrups as well.
Great Master
A likeness of the novelist Leo Tolstoy has been engraved on this grain of rice.
A likeness of the novelist Leo Tolstoy has been engraved on this grain of rice.
Ready to Ride
Aldunin's work naturally leads to some frustration. While crafting a miniature rifle, he lost the weapon's butt after having worked on it for two weeks. "I had a sit-down and a smoke and calmed down," he said, then decided to start all over again. "You musn't get into a state or worry. Everything that you feel in your soul is transmitted to your hands."
Aldunin's work naturally leads to some frustration. While crafting a miniature rifle, he lost the weapon's butt after having worked on it for two weeks. "I had a sit-down and a smoke and calmed down," he said, then decided to start all over again. "You musn't get into a state or worry. Everything that you feel in your soul is transmitted to your hands."
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