Christopher Boffoli’s Strange Little Worlds
The West Seattle-based photographer is getting a big response to his funny miniature series.
By Patrick Hutchison January 13, 2012
This article originally appeared in the February 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.
Christopher Boffoli won’t stop playing with his food, and we couldn’t be happier about it. The West Seattle-based photographer and writer has gained acclaim for his “Disparity” photo series, which comically pairs teeny human figurines with real-life foods in extreme close-up.
Now he’s bringing the photo series to greeting cards, pairing his macro food photography with absurdist one-liners reminiscent of Gary Larson’s “Far Side” cartoons.
Inspired by miniature-obsessed TV shows and movies from his youth, such as Dr. Shrinker, The Incredible Shrinking Woman and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Boffoli began the series in 2002 and keeps on shooting.
Highlights include a janitor mopping mustard from a seemingly giant hot dog, a woman “mowing” zest on an enormous orange and scuba divers preparing to submerge into a cup of Earl Grey.
As for the source of the figurines, Boffoli isn’t giving up his secret. “If pressed, I usually just say the little people in my work are actually real. And as they’re fiercely private, I try not to talk about them too much.”
Find his note cards online (big-appetites.myshopify.com) and at local shops, including Click! Design That Fits (West Seattle, 4540 California Ave. SW; 206.328.9252; clickdesignthatfits.com).
Poster-size prints of Boffoli’s strange little worlds are on display through February 24 at Winston Wachter Fine Art (Belltown, 203 Dexter Ave. N; 206.652.5855; winstonwachter.com). Tip: Don’t go in hungry.
