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Microscopic Miniature By Nikolai Aldunin
I have a question to all of you. Can you put a camel through the eye of a needle? It’s a simple question, but I think no can answer this except a Russian man called Nikolai Aldunin. Actually, I had written a hub related with mini sculpture. We called it a micro sculpture. You can read my hub with a title “Willard Wigan, the man behind the smallest sculpture in the world”. He is amazing sculptor who dedicated his life to make a beautiful art creation. It’s unusual artwork, because not all of us can do this. How do we make something in microscopic size? We need a high level of accuracy and high level of concentration. Of course, it’s difficult for us to achieve such this precision. We need a microscope to see the detail of the microscopic art creation. Personally, this is this very difficult and interesting craft as well.

The first time I saw the microscopic miniature, I said “wow” and “wow” and makes me speechless. We can call this a microminiature art. I found a great artist from Russia and many people call him as a master of microminiature. His name is Nikolai Aldunin. We know that there are several streams in sculpture. But microminiature give me a new spirit to find out more about the man behind the beautiful art creation like this one. From this hub, let me introduce a Russian artist recorded for his microscopic art described as “masterpieces”. Beautiful art created by working between the beats of the heart, Nikolai Aldunin created masterpieces "so tiny". It can only be seen through a microscope lens…..”wow”…amazing. I can’t even begin to imagine how he does all his works and about the patience in making such of wonderful tiny miniature. Can you make your hand steady to create one of these miniature masterpieces? I think one breath could destroy the work, right! Curious…please continue to read!


Up close and personal with Nikolai Aldunin
Nikolai Aldunin was born on September 1, 1956 in South Village Lamovatka Voroshilovgrad region, Russia. From the history of life, he fell in love with metallurgy from his childhood. Growing up he decide to dive deeper into metal and also all the secret of its. He had experience worked as a metal turner at the same Tula region plant for 25 years. He quit his job and decided to start his career as microscopic sculptor which is very difficult for common people. Eventually creating these miniatures make him famous around the world. He works only with a microscope. I heard that almost of his pieces have been sold, even there are some pieces of his work that are simply priceless. The rest of his masterpieces will be placed in a new museum being built for Nikolai in Moscow. Creating the master of miniatures, Aldunin works between the beats of his heart, in order to keep his hands perfectly stable. If something goes wrong, Aldunin decided to start all over again. He usually used superglue, toothpicks and also syringes. Because of all his creations so tiny, a microscope is needed to see them. He also said that everything in his soul is transmitted to his hands.

He took six months to create 34 replicas in tiny scales which is just 1.625 millimeters long. He usually worked at night. He also wore headscarf and mask to prevent his breath from blowing the fragile parts. The most stressful section is keeping his fingers trembled with every heartbeat. He said that he needed to earn money, but he think that he's doing what he want, and it's great. Sometimes he need took breaks by watching cars from the balcony in the eastern Moscow dormitory suburb of Novokosino. It's a good way to relax his eyes after worked long nights. Just information, Aldunin inherited this apartment. Another story came from the assault rifle. He said that he lost the gun's butt after working on it for two weeks and he could not find it. But, he decided to start all over again.

Some of his masterpieces
Gun on a Matchstick
He spent weeks tirelessly melding a small model of an AK-47 or commonly called "Kalashnikov" (about six months). It’s the post-war weapon famously designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov (Soviet lieutenant general). AK-47 replica assembled from 34 separate parts and made by the pure gold. It’s amazing art creation and unusual which is smaller than the width of an ordinary matchstick.

Needle eyes of Tuodui
A group of camel’s miniature and arrange them in a thin needle's eyes with height of between 0.08 mm to 0.1 mm, the material used is platinum. The idea to make camel's carvings was inspired by the biblical. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:23-24). It was taken from http://www.kencollins.com.

Tiny Tank
This sculpture is the replica of the Soviet T-34 tank. The background is a cross-section of the apple seed split in half and described as perfect copy of the real vehicle. It composed of more than 200 pieces and made of pure gold.


Russian Samovar
It is a heated metal container traditionally used to boil water in Russia. The miniature of teapot rests on a needle next to a grain of sugar. The replica of a Russian samovar that's smaller than a granule of sugar.


Tiny mechanical flea
The miniature inspired by a famous Russian tale about Levsha (in a story by 19th-century writer Nikolai Leskov). Aldunin is able to put horseshoes on a flea. He also completed his work with four golden shoes, three nails, saddle and stirrups as well. He convinced that his work is better than the work on display at the Polytechnical Museum, in Moscow. If they have two shoes, but Aldinun has four.


Great Master
Aldinun engraved a portrait of Leo Tolstoy on a grain of rice. Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories.

I hope all of you enjoy this hub and we can learn about the spirit of Aldunin in making such of wonderful art work and all of them are totally awesome. Maybe we can interpret the meaning of " the achievement of the purposes of human life depends on the will: the higher the goal, the greater the desire".
You can also read:
-
Miniature Books from the World's Smallest Library
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Willard Wigan, the man behind the smallest sculpture in the world
-
Very Talented Person in Building Miniature.
-
Miniature Postal Service, The World's Smallest Letter
-
Nano-origami by Anja Markiewicz
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Miniature Postal Service, The World's Smallest Letter
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Miniatur Wunderland, The Largest Railroad Miniature
-
Very Talented Person in Building Miniature
Popular
Comments
It's a wonder that anyone has the ability to be able to do this kind of tiny work.
This is utterly fantastic. Once again you have broadened my horizons. Voted up, interesting and awesome.
Superb Prasetio!
How different, I love the creativity this genius shows. The microscopic sizes are incredible, what a talent! Great intro to this man and his work, all the votes, sharing and pinned!
WOW this is amazing. How does he do this, he must have very steady hands. They are just incredible.
Wow, indeed! This man's talent is absolutely awe-inspiring! Without seeing it in this article, I wouldn't have believed that it was possible for such tiny miniatures to be made.
Thank you so much for taking the time to research Nikolai Aldunin and share his wonderful art with us at HubPages!
What an amazing art, to build miniatures so tiny that some of them can fit through the eye of a needle! I can't imagine the meticulous precision this requires. As always, you draw attention to the most unique and amazing things! Voted up and shared.
I have never seen anything quite like this. How amazingly small! I think it's neat that he made the camels to fit in the eye of the needle. I can't imagine having the patience he must have. Thanks for sharing this! Voted up and others!
Prasetio30, In particular, I love the flea -- since they can be such a challenge to look so beautiful in reproduction -- and the portrait of Leo Tolstoy, whose writings I respect.
Shared.
Respectfully, and with many thanks and all the votes, Derdriu
Wow this is incredible and totally amazing. Completely fascinating - you have just done it again! Had to come back to read this again!!
Once again you've wowed us with some amazing stuff. I love the camels! And I love to read your hubs, Prasetio, you really know how to present some awesome information.
Just like you said Pras "wow and wow." Thank you for sharing this wonderful work.
As others have said ... just Wow! - for both the Hub and the amazing tiny sculptures of the man you're writing about. Astonishingly good article - voted up and across.
What amazing work. I didn’t think this was possible. How does he achieve this painstakingly meticulous and creative art? Fascinating hub, prasetio.
What an interesting hub!
Another fascinating hub prasetio - this work is amazing!
Wonderful, thank you and voted up!
This is a very interesting topic about an amazing man. The pictures are awesome. I didn't think it could be done. Voted up and awesome.
Wow, awesome images. Didn't realize it could be done, let alone exist! Voted it up and awesome. : )
Dear Prasetio,
Oh how many wonderful articles I have missed and will try to catch up on as time permits...
This is a fascinating artist who is able to do the seemingly impossible with patience and amazing dexterity. Thank you for sharing such gifts with us. Voted UP and UABI.
Hugs, Maria
This is exemplary work by the master creator my friend. your hubs are really unique. Has this master creator been awarded any prize or award by his country?
voted up and awesome.
Really incredible and amazing! I hope his eyes won't get much strain as he painstakingly create those masterpieces. His talent and patience are really unbelievable. Excellent photos! Up and interesting. :)
Amazing! It is hard to imagine such a tiny piece of art! I enjoyed reading about this and the photos were incredible! Thanks for sharing. UP/A/I and sharing.
This is so clever. I wouldn't even have the patience or the calm hand to do these, how amazing! wonderful hub pras!
Used to wonder how they put a ship in a bottle but this is something else altogether from Mr Aluudin. He really has put a camel through the eye of a needle. Fantastic talent and discovery for us, thank you pras- Up she goes!
Fascinating Pras! I like what he said how everything in his soul is transmitted through his hands! He is work is mind boggling! Thank you for showing us another curiosity of mankind! Take care, Kathi :O)
Congratulations...the others will come quickly for sure...Awesome :) :)
Once again, Prasetio, you have found a fascinating subject for your article. This man's work is incredible. What steady hands he must have and a keen eye for detail. Thanks for presenting this artist and his interesting creations.
Peg
I always marvel at the wonderful hubs that you bring us. Thank you so very much.
Think of the patience this man must have .... incredible!
I never knew anyone was doing sculpture with a microscope. Who would even think of it? Truly interesting and unique. sharing with my followers.
What patience and dexterity Nikolai Aldunin must possess to create these imaginative, wondrous micro-miniatures, pras. Thank you for the introduction to this talented artist and his works. The photos are fascinating and the camels in the eye of the needle - unbelievable! Voted Up, my friend.
Amazing! So glad that many of his works are going to end up in a museum where more people can view them. I can't even imagine the steadiness of his hands and skill that it would take to create such tiny masterpieces! Up votes and am very happy to have read about this talented artist thanks to you.
Wow, prasetio...wow, and wow. You said it and I concur. These are a m a z i n g... I cannot imagine the patience and talent that it must take to create something this detailed in such a tiny size.
thank you for sharing these creative works of art with us
:) ps
Presentio, this was a wonderful hub. Not only for the writing of it but for the rewarding peep at the photographs of the miniature works. The little golden tank and all the others are just inconceivable by ordinaries like me. Thanks for sharing. Just to let you know, in my childhood, in the local Book fair, which is now quite famed as the International Kolkata Book Fair, we used to come upon young artists, who would paint out your name, or your friends name, and roses or hearts etc. on little grains of rice and put them into small ring cases as keep sake or gifts, particularly for the Valentines of those days. I still retain one with my name on it, given by a friend. Voted up.
prasetio - This Aldunin fellow really thinks big about making small - and ever so small. This is a fine article about something not often seen or written about. Thanks.
Gus :-)))
Prasetio, This is another amazing hub. The Golden tiny tank is beautiful. I don't know how you manage to find these gems, happy that you did..Thank you again....
You find such amazing things to write about, Prasetio! Your hub is very interesting, just like all your hubs. I loved the photos of the art. I greatly admire Nikolai Aldunin's skill and determination. It was interesting to hear him talking in Russian in the video.
Amazing!!! And beautiful! I've seen some things similar to this, but never as lovely and not quite as detailed. Thanks for sharing!
Fantastic as always. It is so wonderful we have those that do this sort of thing for our entertainment and more so we have you friend to bring it to our attention. Up and sharing.
Totally incredible - as always!
Wow, what intricate and fascinating work! The photos are beautiful. Thank you for another interesting Hub. : )
Well prasetio you have outdone yourself here.
From way back you set yourself a high standard with your hubs and I can sincerely tell you today that you have not disappointed once.
I vote up,across and share.
A wonderful hub and enjoy your weekend.
Eddy.
prasetio30. Wow is right. This is amazing. How on earth does he do this? Very, very interesting. VU, sharing etc.... Great job.
this is a very cool subject, and a great hub!!!
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