We're not alone: Curator Libby Werbel is a super diorama champion. The proof is Werbel's "The Diorama Show," to which a coalition of 50 or so artists has contributed miniature scenarios. Sneak peeks display a hilarious range of interpretations. Emily Donat's is a traditional carton, edged with gold ribbon and a nice lace frill; inside is a cozy bedtime trio under a flowered quilt -- surprise! It's Michael Jackson and two children. Rebecca Noon's exhibit is dark and complicated and looks like it's inside an old-fashioned breadbox, while Luke Dorman seems to reference a menaced peasantry among the flaming cottages of Die-O-Rama.
"Very few of the artists make dioramas as part of their usual work," Werbel says. "We wanted to see how particular mediums like drawing would influence the form." Her inspiration came from a visit to an exhibition of "real" dioramas made by children. The kids' works were "so beautiful," the curator enthuses, that she wanted to get the local arts community in on the action. Surprisingly, she didn't think the concept would be very popular. "I thought I was alone in this dark world of diorama appreciation," she confesses, laughing about how wrong she's been. You, me, and Lisa Simpson could have told her it would be huge. -- Hiya Swanhuyser
