Nature has many fascinating places, but some of its most interesting structures are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The astonishing beauty of living microorganisms cannot be observed except in science books or under a microscope, despite their ubiquitous presence. However, artist Rogan Brown makes the invisible visible by mimicking the shapes of these miniature wonders to create incredibly intricate paper sculptures. Inspired by the complex composition of cells, microorganisms and fossils, Rogen transforms microscopic structures into extraordinary paper sculptures, with each intricate piece being painstakingly hand-cut. His choice of materials emphasizes both natural sophistication and strength. The intricate layers of white paper captivate the viewer and encourage us to take a moment to appreciate the vast microscopic forms that surround us and within us.
Rogens latest work, titled Cytokinesis Variations, highlights the beauty of the process of mitosis, or cell division. “At any given moment, millions of cells in the body are dividing and multiplying to replenish and maintain skin, hair, intestines, body organs, etc… Cytokinesis is the last and most violent stage of mitosis when cell walls rupture and divide. Split into two to form identical daughter cells.
Every work begins as a drawing, and the finished work is actually a layered three-dimensional drawing. I start with small sketches and work them into detailed full-size drawings, which I then cut by hand with a graver, or with a laser. Each cutout is then mounted on hidden card and foam board spacers 1 or 2cm deep, and finally each layer is mounted on top of the other, glued and fixed in place. Each stage of the process takes weeks, so its labor-intensive, especially for larger hand-cut pieces that can take months to complete.
