If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): miniatures

Showing posts with label miniatures. Show all posts

Six Sweet Rides From Hot Wheels and Just Born.

Just Born, Inc., the makers of Easter Peeps and such candy favorites as Mike and Ikes and Hot Tamales, has teamed up with Mattel's Hot Wheels for a limited edition collection of six super sweet rides. The miniature vintage cars and trucks feature the candy company's products and logos.

Leicester born London based Designer Ollie Willis challenges the precision, patience and frustration common in the game of golf with a mini golf course in the shape of the letters of the alphabet.By creating a typeface that uses the curves, 45º and 90º angles that are present in mini golf courses, the letters can be made into interactive structures pairing the processes of golf and design to become a 26 hole course.

Pocket Classics of the UK lovingly creates a variety of miniature gas-powered custom classic cars for both children ages 10+ as well as adults. Each toy car is lovingly handmade, taking in excess of 450 hours to craft. They offer several models (Cobra, The California, DB5, XK120 and DS) or can build your personalized car to any specifications that you wish.

These toys, if you can call them 'toys,' are 100% serviceable, and virtually indestructible. With composite bodies and chassis, they will literally last for generations. All the mechanics are over-engineered to ensure durability.

The Cobra
The Cobra is a tribute to Carroll Shelby’s masterpiece. Suitable for ages 10 all the way up to large adults.

Miniature Cobra Specs:
• 110cc 4 stroke air-cooled petrol engine
• Top speed 46mph+ (can be limited)
• Semi-automatic gearbox: 3 speed forward and reverse
• 4 wheel independent suspension with coilovers
• Twin front and single rear hydraulic Brembo disc brakes
• Electric start, lights, horn, indicators
Price: £7,995 + local taxes

The California
The California is an interpretation of Italian elegance personified – one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Suitable for ages 10 all the way up to large adults.

Miniature California specs:
• 110cc 4 stroke air-cooled petrol engine
• Front engined, with rear wheel drive
• Top speed 46mph+ (can be limited)
• Semi-automatic gearbox: 3 speed forward and reverse
• 4 wheel independent coilover suspension
• Twin front and single rear hydraulic Brembo disc brakes
• Electric start, lights, horn, indicators
Price: £12,495 + local taxes

The XK120:

The XK120 is a timeless British classic from the 1940s, once the world’s fastest production car. Suitable for ages 10 all the way up to large adults.

Miniature XK120 specs:
• 110cc 4 stroke air-cooled petrol engine
• Front engined, with rear wheel drive
• Top speed 46mph+ (can be limited)
• Semi-automatic gearbox: 3 speed forward and reverse
• 4 wheel independent coilover suspension
• Twin front and single rear hydraulic Brembo disc brakes
• Electric start, lights, horn, indicators
Available soon

The DB5 and DS (coming soon):

The DB5 is the first choice of transport for the world’s most famous spy. Suitable for ages 10 all the way up to large adults.
Miniature DB5 specs:
• 110cc 4 stroke air-cooled petrol engine
• Front engined, with rear wheel drive
• Top speed 46mph+ (can be limited)
• Semi-automatic gearbox: 3 speed forward and reverse
• 4 wheel independent coilover suspension
• Twin front and single rear hydraulic Brembo disc brakes
• Electric start, lights, horn, indicators
Price upon inquiry

The DS is their tribute to the French beauty designed by a sculptor and an aircraft engineer – decades ahead of its time. Suitable for ages 10 all the way up to large adults.
Miniature DS specs:
• 110cc 4 stroke air-cooled petrol engine
• Front engined, with rear wheel drive
• Top speed 46mph+ (can be limited)
• Semi-automatic gearbox: 3 speed forward and reverse
• 4 wheel independent coilover suspension
• Twin front and single rear hydraulic Brembo disc brakes
• Electric start, lights, horn, indicators
Available soon

The chassis and brake system:

The cars in action:

And a few more enticing photos:

Check out Pocket Classics for more information, prices and ordering.

Small Scale Models of Decaying Homes Built and Photographed by Ofra Lapid.

Broken Houses is a series of images of dilapidated and abandoned buildings, destroyed by weather, decay and neglect. Artist Ofra Lapid found photos of these homes and buildings on the web while pursuing an amateur photographer from North Dakota (name not disclosed) who obsessively documents the decaying process of these houses- not unlike these wonderful artists who are also obsessed with decaying and abandoned homes. Ofra then built small scale models of these and photographed them again, omitting the backgrounds and placing them on grey fields.

One Empire Wide is a series of sculptural works exploring discarded Canadiana through scale model ice fishing huts by artist David Trautrimas. The 22 miniature models shown here, made with materials and detritus from Canadian culture, will soon be on exhibit. Details at the end of the post.

1. 'The Avro' 10 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm Etched Acrylic & Spray Paint 2012:

2.'The Bloedel' 8 cm x 14 cm x 8 cm Baltic Birch, Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

3.'The Bomb Shelter' 6 cm x 14 cm x 11 cm Acrylic & Baltic Birch 2012:

4.'The Brewers' 14 cm x 14 cm x 10 cm Baltic Birch, Etched Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

5.'The Champlain' 9 cm x 11 cm x 12 cm Spraypainted Acrylic & Baltic Birch 2012:

6.'The Clairtone' 9 cm x 13 cm x 13 cm Acrylic & Baltic Birch 2012:

7.The Cooper' 8 cm x 15 cm x 10cm Baltic Birch, Etched Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

8.'DEW' 11 cm x 16 cm x 11 cm Aluminum Foil, Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

9.'The Dollar' (front and back view) 9 cm x 17 cm x 9 cm Baltic Birch, Etched Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

10.'The Eaton' 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm Etched Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

11.'The Metric Movement' (front and back view) 7 cm x 16 cm x 13 cm Baltic Birch, Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

12.'The Nordiques' 9 cm x 14 cm x 11 cm Baltic Birch, Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

13.'The Nortel' 8 cm x 19 cm x 11 cm Baltic Birch, Spray painted Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

14.'The Robertson' 13 cm x 13 cm x 14 cm Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

15.'Sams' (front and back view) 8 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm Etched Acrylic, Baltic Birch & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

16.'The Tear Drop' 8 cm x 12 cm x 14 cm Aluminum Foil, Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

17.'The Timbit' 9 cm x 14 cm x 13 cm Baltic Birch, Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

18.'The Smoker' (front and back view) 8 cm x 15 cm x 13 cm Etched Acrylic 2012:

19.'The Tonneau' 6 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm Aluminum Foil, Acrylic & Baltic Birch 2012:

20.'TTC ZED' 9 cm x 13 cm x 13 cm Acrylic 2012:

21.'The Neighbourhood Watch' (front and back view) 11cm x 12 cm x 13 cm Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

22.'The Pool' 9 cm x 16 cm x 10 cm Aluminum Foil, Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

In ‘One Empire Wide’ discarded Canadiana is reinterpreted by the artist as architectural models of ice fishing huts. Akin to their full sized counterparts, these scaled down versions engage the vernacular of reclamation, but in lieu of scrap building materials they reuse the detritus of recent Canadian history for their designs. From disposable fast food containers, failed companies, defunct government commissions, abandoned corporate branding to outdated military technology and emigrant sports franchises, these discarded cultural and social fragments are thoughtfully crafted into ingenious, inhabitable structures.

Each lovely little architectural model will be made in an edition of four and available for purchase at the price of $500 a piece.

above composite © If It's Hip, It's Here, images courtesy of the artist

David Trautrimas - One Empire Wide
June 1st to July 1st
Opening Reception: June 1st 6 to 9 pm

LE GALLERY
1183 Dundas Street West
Toronto Ontario
M6J 1X3
416.532.8467