Dioramas

Diorama of Carrara marble quarries

Diorama of the Carrara marble quarries

This diorama was my first diormama that had nature as its context. A particular nature is that of the marble quarries which, with the pure white of the marble, stands out in the wild nature that surrounds them. This job was challenging due to the lot of sanding of the marble slabs obtained with expanded polyester and many coats of stucco which I sanded with very fine water-based paper, until I obtained a smooth surface similar to real marble. The live effect is surprising because you can’t tell if what you’re looking at is real marble or not, but it’s polystyrene!

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Project
The project for this diorama of the Carrara marble quarries was born after a trip. The view of this sometimes lunar scenario fascinated me and the quarries lend themselves very well as if they were an amphitheater. The work includes several difficulties, because I had to try to give a realistic effect to a natural environment which is one of the major difficulties in diorama works. Lots of photos and videos to create this work, I also had to find out about the history of the marble quarries, their shape and the various types of marble that are extracted there. In the end I am satisfied with the result.
Materials
The majority of material used in this diorama is expanded polyester, with which I made the marble and the mountains. Then there are debris and real marble dust that I took directly from the marble quarries. The mechanical means were purchased and appropriately aged. Other materials such as cables and wires, some plastic objects and all reworked to give that touch of aging and adaptation to the scene. I didn't include any characters as it wasn't necessary as during public holidays the quarries appear like this without any people.