Seba Naranjo found inspiration in the work that paleontologists have been doing over the past few years to create a unique artistic world.
Khartosauria’s Paper Sculptures
Based in Chile, the artist designs and builds three-dimensional paper models of different dinosaur species for a project named Khartosauria.
According to Naranjo, it takes careful planning, cutting, and folding to create the unique dinosaur shapes for each species. What makes the work stand out from others in this space is the expressionism that occurs with each finished piece.
When Naranjo is finished, the expressive paper sculpture can stand on its own on a flat surface, making it feel as if the creature is ready to roam the room as its ancestors moved about the forests of our ancient history.
He forms dinosaurs large and small, creating results that instantly grab your attention. With Naranjo’s stegosaurus, the spiny spikes on the back are quite impressive, especially since the figure stands independently through the balance the artist includes with the piece.
Naranjo Has a Background in Graphic Design
Before getting into the idea of creating paper dinosaurs, Naranjo was a working artist who specialized in children’s illustration and graphic design. He says that his fascination with the giant creatures who once roamed the planet started when he was a child.
Naranjo can remember playing in the printing shop where his mother worked. Part of that experience involved working with paper and being around dinosaur images.
It took several years for the artist to hone his skills to the point where he could start crafting the dinosaurs. Now he spends over 20 hours each week constructing several dinosaurs. Numerous ancient species are part of his collection now, including an impressive apatosaurus, a miniature dromaeosaur, and a fantastic Styracosaurus.
If you’re interested in pursuing something similar, you can purchase model kits with complete instructions from Naranjo online. He also includes the scientific biography of the dinosaur so that you can get to know more about it.
Why Are Dinosaurs So Popular?
Why are we so fascinated as a species with dinosaurs? When scientists find a new species, especially if it is a large animal, we often celebrate the discovered mystery.
Part of the reason why we love these creatures is that they allow us to contemplate our past in unique ways. We get caught up in the present moment or worry about the future, often losing sight of our general perspective.
Will the moments that bother you right now still be important next month? Are you going to remember the issues that stir frustration today when you reach this date next year?
Instead of trying to get through each day to the best of your ability, think about how the problems you face stack up to history’s narrative. If you can take a deep breath, you’ll find that the stressful encounters you dread might not be as problematic as you believed.
Naranjo’s paper dinosaurs tap into this energy. Whether you note when a specific species lived, compared the size of the animal to a double-decker bus, or used toys to fight in the sandbox as a child, we constantly use dinosaurian measurement to capture an essence of who we are.
Dinosaurs Embody the Changes that Life Brings
Although we don’t know the exact reason why dinosaurs no longer roam our planet, the entire species remains a representation of what can happen in an instant. Earth has undergone numerous changes over the millennia, creating unique eras that define who we are today.
One of the most powerful truths that humans have come to understand is that our home has a deep history that we’ve barely tapped into with our understanding. Life is constantly changing and evolving to adapt to different circumstances.
And, at some point, we will all depart for whatever happens next while leaving the next generation to keep learning.
For Naranjo, his artwork isn’t a chase after millions of years of history. It is a personal reflection of who he is, memories of the past, and an effort to make tomorrow a better place.
Dinosaurs might be Hollywood monsters on the big screen, but they are also the foundation of our fascination with the past, present, and future
When you see the dinosaurs that Naranjo creates, you can see an individualized story included as part of the design. That truth is something that resonates deep inside each of us.
You can find many pictures of Naranjo’s creations on his Instagram.
