Strange Worlds by Matthew Albanese

New Jersey-based artist Matthew Albanese creates these impressive landscapes using household objects.

Even though some of his models are under 1 meter (3 feet) long, they look endless, thanks to perfect shooting angle using forced perspective techniques.

Paprika Mars

Made out of 12 pounds paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg, chili powder and charcoal.



"My work involves the construction of small-scale meticulously detailed models using various materials and objects to create emotive landscapes. Every aspect from the construction to the lighting of the final model is painstakingly pre-planned using methods which force the viewers perspective when photographed from a specific angle. Using a mixture of photographic techniques such as scale, depth of field, white balance and lighting I am able to drastically alter the appearance of my materials," he said.

New Life

Diorama made using painted parchment paper, thread, hand dyed ostrich feathers, carved chocolate, wire, raffia, masking tape, coffee, synthetic potting moss and cotton.









Breaking Point

Volcano, "Breaking Point", made out of tile grout, cotton, phosphorous ink. This model volcano was illuminated from within by 6-60 watt light bulbs.





Tornado

Made of steel wool, cotton, ground parsley and moss







Fields, After the Storm

This model is simply made out of faux fur(fields), cotton (clouds) and sifted tile grout(mountains). The perspective is forced as in all of my images, and the lighting effect was created by simply shifting the white balance.





Everything We Ever Were

It took two months to store up enough fireplace ash to create this lunar landscape. The darker rocks are made of mixed tile grout, flag crumpled paper & wire. The Earth is a video still projected onto the wall. Inspired by the Apollo 11 mission.



Aurora Borealis

This one was made by photographing a beam of colored light against a black curtain to achieve the edge effect. The trees were composited from life ( so far the only real life element in any of these images) The stars are simply strobe light through holes in cork board.



Sugarland

Made out of 20 pounds of sugar, jello and corn syrup. The crystals were grown in his studio over the course of two months.



Icebreaker

25 pounds of sugar cooked at varying temperatures (hard crack & pulled sugar recipes) It's basically made out of candy. salt, egg whites, corn syrup, cream of tartar, powdered sugar, blue food coloring, india ink & flour.

Three days of cooking, and two weeks of building.



DIY Paradise

Cotton, salt, cooked sugar, tin foil, feathers & canvas.



This one is a mixture of many different materials, tile grout, moss, bottle brushes (pine trees) Actual clippings from ground cover and was built on top of standard outdoor patio table (water glass). The sky is canvas painted blue. Coloring was again achieved by shifting white balance.



Wildfire

Diorama made from wood, moss, yellow glitter, clear garbage bags, cooked sugar, scotch-brite pot scrubbers, bottle brushes, clipping from a bush in bloom (white flowers) clear thread, sand, tile grout (coloring), wire, paper and alternating yellow, red and orange party bulbs.



Salt Water Falls

Model made out of glass, plexiglass, tile grout, moss, twigs, salt, painted canvas & dry ice. The waterfall was created from a time exposure of falling table salt.



All images are © Copyright of Matthew Albanese.

Check the website: http://www.behance.net/MatthewAlbanese/frame