Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Hernán Buljevich

Miniatures by Hernán Buljevich

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How did you first get into miniatures?

Angel sierraI started working on miniatures at university as I became interested in scale models as a way of representation. It was then when I realized what my future would be. I began to work with constructive details, and created replicas of existing places that I liked. Over time, I acquired experience and thought that my greatest accomplishment was the way I could pass down the essence of a place and its charmwhether a house, a restaurant, a bar, a historic building, or any kind of space, front door or interior roominto a miniature.

What inspires you?

The inspiration for my work stems from a lifelong love of classic Spanish culture, cuisine and bars. I started with Restaurante Botín in Madrid. Founded in 1725, Botín is one of the world’s oldest restaurants.

Every detail of my replicas is carefully carried out, not only to bring photographic accuracy but to represent the attractiveness of each place.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I am inspired by everyday life. I like to always be open to learning new things and new techniques, and I often apply other methods or techniques from another profession into what I do.

What materials do you use for your miniatures?

In order to perform said replicas I seek each material resembles the original: wood, cardboard, recycled materials. All materials I use are legitimate to carry out each of the works. It’s a matter of creativity. That’s how the miniatures get the different places owners’ attention. The owners are eventually attracted to the replicas and would like to have one of their own place.

Bodega de la Ardosa (3)Describe your process for making miniatures.

Having photographs of anywhere allows me to make a miniature. I get photos to paper, converting them into blueprints. I calculate the scale observing the photos. I think of each line, relief and measure of each part of the site. And then, I select the materials and all parts prepared to be later assembled, resulting in the final work.

Alma de España by Hernán is on view now at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures in New York!

Through photos or videos that can be sent by mail or email, one can start preparing miniatures. Many different materials can be used, enriching in detail the work to be accomplished. You desire one, you have it! Everyone wants his or her place in the world to be represented in a miniature.

Advice you would give to beginner artists?

What matters is the essence of the place or object we want to do, not accuracy. The important thing is to give the work life.

Tool you can’t live without?

I use many improvised and homemade tools. I can not live without my tweezers and nail files. These are what I use most.

What appeals to you most about what you do?

The creativity to find the materials to make things from real life in miniature, is a very fun challenge. The best we can recycle and transform any object.

Other activities and hobbies you enjoy?

I began with this as my hobby, really I am an architect. What I enjoy the most is traveling.

Argentinian artist Hernán Buljevich recreates well-known bars and restaurants in miniature. To see more of his work, visit his website or follow along on two Facebook accounts: here and here.

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Top Miniatures on View at 2015 Guild Show

The International Guild of Miniature Artisans Presents Guild Show 2015

Three-drawer chest by Smaller Than Life (Pete and Pam Boorum, IGMA Artisan members), small carry box with handle by Bubba’s Country Cupboards (Barbara Vajnar, IGMA Artisan member)
Three-drawer chest by Smaller Than Life (Pete and Pam Boorum, IGMA Artisan members), small carry box with handle by Bubba’s Country Cupboards (Barbara Vajnar, IGMA Artisan member)

The International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA) was incorporated in the late 1970s with the aim of promoting miniatures as fine art. To that end, the Guild Show was established to provide a venue for talented IGMA Artisan and Fellow members to show and sell their work.

Open to the public, the Guild Show 2015 will take place this summer on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck, NJ. The show is open to all and is conveniently located just across the river from New York City, easily accessible by bus and car. Admittance details for this year’s Guild Show are as follows:

Saturday, August 8 from 9 – 10 AM: Show Preview for Guild members only
Saturday, August 8 from 10 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday, August 9 from 10 AM- 3:30 PM

General admission, open to the public: $10 one day, $15 two day pass
Children under 14: free
IGMA Members admitted free

Last year, the Guild Show celebrated its 35th Anniversary and is still going strong, featuring some of the best work in miniatures today. Guild Show events include extensive exhibits, classes, tours, auctions, and other festivities noted below:

  • Dealers
  • Broadway Night
  • Thursday & Friday Classes
  • Tour to Historic Hudson Valley
  • Gathering: Desserts & Demonstrations
  • Annual Meeting
  • Small Beginnings
  • Exhibits
  • Gallery of the Guild
  • Live and Silent Auctions
  • Area Events: NYC & New Jersey

Pre-show events commence on Wednesday, August 5. Visit the IGMA website for more information and directions. For details on becoming an IGMA Member, please click here.

Violets by Peter Gabel, IGMA Artisan member
Violets by Peter Gabel, IGMA Artisan member
Three-tiered wicker stand by Uncle Ciggie’s (Vicky Sanfield, IGMA Artisan member)
Three-tiered wicker stand by Uncle Ciggie’s (Vicky Sanfield, IGMA Artisan member)
Urchin lamp by Studebaker Miniatures (Bill Studebaker, IGMA Artisan member), Queen Anne side chair by Mark Murphy, IGMA Fellow member
Urchin lamp by Studebaker Miniatures (Bill Studebaker, IGMA Artisan member), Queen Anne side chair by Mark Murphy, IGMA Fellow member

D. Thomas Fine Miniatures Now Open in New York

dthomasfineminisThe winter of 2014 welcomed big changes to the miniatures community within historic Lower Hudson Valley, NY: D. Thomas Fine Miniatures opened its doors as a premier destination for miniature collectors, artisans, and enthusiasts from around the world.

D. Thomas Fine Miniatures is a new retail destination complete with artisan dollhouses and the highest quality of collections including 1:12 scale furniture, designs and accessories. The newly launched space now offers DIY workshops and classes taught by master craftsmen and artists in the miniature industry. In addition, the shop also features a gallery space that showcases extraordinary miniatures by internationally acclaimed artists and designers. Now on display in the gallery through the end of June 2015 is Alma de España: The Artistry and Vision of Hernán Buljevich.

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D. Thomas Fine Miniatures was created by Darren Thomas Scala for two unique purposes: to raise awareness about miniatures as a decorative art form and to introduce the discipline to new generations of enthusiasts everywhere. A Brooklyn-born artist and corporate beauty and cosmetics brand marketer, Scala has always had a passion for miniatures.f6da19c59f0b9001bca7d3d2fcc7b970

“It’s been my dream to create a space where I could introduce miniatures to the public and generate the same level of excitement I have for these pieces. Miniatures have thrilled for centuries. There is seduction in scale that transcends time. Miniatures truly capture the imagination and provide opportunity to dream, discover and explore,” Scala explains.

A decades-old dream realized, D. Thomas Fine Miniatures has been welcomed with open arms by the Hastings-On-Hudson business community. Visit the space and experience the wonder of the miniature for yourself!

Address:
579 Warburton Avenue #6
Hastings-On-Hudson, New York 10706

Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM-5 PM
Sundays 12-5 PM
Evenings by appointment

Stay updated on the latest miniature news by following #obeytheminiature and D. Thomas Fine Miniatures on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Shop the store online and make sure to check out the new website and recent blog posts today!

Photo credit to PeterLauPhotography.com.