Japanese artist Inco Matsui creates mini cities using paper and glue.
"Tokyo" —
Japanese artist Inco Matsui creates mini cities using paper and glue.
courtesy inco matsui
Matsui reconstructed the Tokyo from her youth.
"Tokyo" —
Matsui reconstructed the Tokyo from her youth.
courtesy inco matsui
Her paper architecture includes dramatic views of the city's skyline, but also provides an intimate look at smaller details, like shop signs and traffic stops.
"Tokyo" —
Her paper architecture includes dramatic views of the city's skyline, but also provides an intimate look at smaller details, like shop signs and traffic stops.
courtesy inco matsui
Her miniature version of Tokyo is actually from the past, and captures her nostalgic feelings about growing up in the city.
"Tokyo" —
Her miniature version of Tokyo is actually from the past, and captures her nostalgic feelings about growing up in the city.
courtesy inco matsui
Before she assembles each scene, she thoroughly researches the time period and gathers visual references. It took her 6 months to complete Tokyo.
"Tokyo" —
Before she assembles each scene, she thoroughly researches the time period and gathers visual references. It took her 6 months to complete Tokyo.
courtesy inco matsui
Despite the patience required to create these miniature cities, Matsui considers the minor details to be the most exciting part of her art.
"Tokyo" —
Despite the patience required to create these miniature cities, Matsui considers the minor details to be the most exciting part of her art.
courtesy inco matsui
Although Matsui's Tokyo project is one of her most well known, it is her recreation of Osaka that she considers to be a personal highlight.
"Osaka" —
Although Matsui's Tokyo project is one of her most well known, it is her recreation of Osaka that she considers to be a personal highlight.
courtesy inco matsui
Matsui was born in Osaka, and felt that recreating the city in paper form would allow her to feel closer to her hometown.
"Osaka" —
Matsui was born in Osaka, and felt that recreating the city in paper form would allow her to feel closer to her hometown.
courtesy inco matsui
Matsui is currently based in New York, and has recreated several American landmarks, like the amusement park, Coney Island.
"Coney Island" —
Matsui is currently based in New York, and has recreated several American landmarks, like the amusement park, Coney Island.
Jeff Goldberg/Esto/© Jeff Goldberg/Esto
Although these works are built of her memories from the past, Matsui often spends months researching visuals in order to provide an accurate depiction.
"12h10am" —
Although these works are built of her memories from the past, Matsui often spends months researching visuals in order to provide an accurate depiction.
courtesy inco matsui
When Matsui began working with miniature art, she says she elected to work with paper and glue because it was easily accessible, and because -- at the time -- few were using it.
"12h10am" —
When Matsui began working with miniature art, she says she elected to work with paper and glue because it was easily accessible, and because -- at the time -- few were using it.
courtesy inco matsui
Besides creating cities, Matsui has ventured into making mystical worlds.
"Power of Baobabu" —
Besides creating cities, Matsui has ventured into making mystical worlds.
courtesy inco matsui
These imaginative works often incorporate nature.
"Voice of Forest" —
These imaginative works often incorporate nature.
courtesy of inco matsui
Matsui has also produced a "<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.incomatsui.com%2F%23%21food-traveler-korea%2Fepn9v" target="_blank" target="_blank">Food Traveler</a>" series, which features miniature figures alongside paper versions of cultural cuisines.
"Food Traveler: Korea" —
Matsui has also produced a "Food Traveler" series, which features miniature figures alongside paper versions of cultural cuisines.
courtesy inco matsui
Matsui uses trial and error. She often works and re-works the same small details to perfection.
"Food Traveler: USA" —
Matsui uses trial and error. She often works and re-works the same small details to perfection.
courtesy inco matsui