Eyes on the size
Celebrating Australian history and craft in equal measure, the wondrous ABC series Tiny Oz recreates remarkable moments from our nation’s past, in glorious miniature
The past few years have prompted many of us to slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life. And life doesn’t get much smaller than in the fascinating world of miniatures.
Perhaps it’s a growing desire to streamline our lives and the world around us, but it’s safe to say our collective interest in the miniature world is on the rise.
From the preparation of miniscule meals racking up millions of views on social media to avid collectors trawling the internet for pintsized products, this unique craze has garnered many fans looking for a quirky distraction in times of turmoil.
There’s even a global community of miniature fanatics – or ‘miniacs’ – defined as a producer or collector of miniatures, being small-scale replicas of contemporary or historical objects, such as might be used in a dollhouse.
The new ABC series Tiny Oz takes a closer look at this wondrous subculture, while also reflecting on Australia’s history.
In the three-part series, comedian Jimmy Rees and miniature artist JoAnne Bouzianis-Sellick follow a group of extraordinary craftspeople from around Australia who lovingly obsess over the smallest of details.
Supported by the hosts, the artisans accept the challenge to hand-build tableaus representing intriguing events that have all but vanished from living memory.
Historical events and places that are recreated include the once bustling pearling town of Broome; a hot-air balloon launch that fascinated and scandalised the people of Adelaide; and the hundreds of exotic animals that were escorted through Sydney streets in 1916, enroute to their new home at Taronga Zoo.
“If you go looking in the right places, you’ll find ‘Tiny Australia’,” Rees says.
“Across the land, the art of making miniatures has taken off. Tiny enthusiasts are turning everything you could imagine into a teeny replica of itself.
“Small art has a special magic. It stops time and draws us in to explore a new world – or an old one.”
Rees says there’s an undeniable appeal to that which has been sized down and shrunken to a fraction of its normal size.
“I’m intrigued by the craft, its intricate skills and its innate humour,” he says.
“I’m excited for audiences to watch Tiny Oz and discover how much work is involved in making something you’d easily step on!“
Tiny Oz, Tuesday, 8.30pm, ABC TV and streaming, ABC iview
Jimmy Rees: “Small art has a special magic. It stops time and draws us in to explore a new world – or an old one.”