Baghdad event highlights the art of dioramas, seeks greater cultural awareness

BAGHDAD – In collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, the Al-Mada Foundation for Culture and Arts hosted a weekly discussion session centered on the art of miniatures, known as dioramas. The session aimed to draw attention to the lack of media coverage and cultural awareness surrounding this intricate art form.

Haider Khaled, the event’s moderator, emphasized that the discussion delved into various aspects of diorama art, including the materials used, the themes explored, and the potential for further development through galleries and workshops.

“The reason we chose this topic is the lack of cultural awareness regarding this type of art,” Khaled told 964media. “We often hear about visual arts in general, such as sculpture, painting, interior design, calligraphy, and ornamentation, but the art of miniatures or dioramas is neglected.”

A diorama is a three-dimensional model or scene that portrays a specific event, environment, or moment in time. These scenes, crafted to a smaller scale, can range from miniature displays to life-sized representations, often featuring detailed figures, landscapes, and backdrops to create a realistic setting. Dioramas are commonly used in museums, art exhibits, and educational displays to depict historical events, natural habitats, or cultural scenes.

The organizers hope that such discussions will promote this unique form of artistic expression and encourage relevant institutions to support its practitioners.

Artist Talal Mahmoud, a specialist in miniature art, attributed the public’s unfamiliarity with dioramas to a lack of media coverage. “The community isn’t at fault. If the media had given it more attention, it would have become more well-known, especially since it documents city life, alleys, and can revive historical landmarks,” Mahmoud explained.

He emphasized the potential of dioramas to recreate significant historical events in miniature form, making it an effective tool for illustrating historical and cultural moments.

Mahmoud also discussed how modern technology has enhanced the work of artists. “As a sculptor, instead of spending months crafting a model of a person or animal, I can now work with digital designers to create the model, which can then be 3D-printed. This saves both time and effort,” he said.

Mahmoud has participated in several international exhibitions, including events in Turkey and China. Notably, he created a four-meter statue in Yongchuan, China, situated by the Yellow River.

Reflecting on the 1970s, Mahmoud recalled that central markets showed significant interest in the craft, importing model kits from Japan, Germany, and the UK. These kits, which could be assembled and painted, played a pivotal role in fostering early interest in diorama art. Mahmoud still retains some of these models today.