Presepio 2008

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This is the presepio I always wanted to build: a South Bronx nativity. Years ago, when I dabbled in animation, I imagined a simple film about an animator working on a miniature urban set as the camera pulled back to reveal that he and his apartment building were all part of a larger set situated in the "real" cityscape. I never made that film but the image stuck with me. After eight years of making presepi I finally developed some skills to pull this one off. Nothing like the amazing "slum" train set this guy built. This year's discovery: the glue gun!

• the quotidian
• Phase I — the base
• Phase II — the buildings I
• Phase II — the buildings II
• Phase II — the buildings III
• in progress — the mess I
• in progress — the mess II
• Phase III — the background I
• inspiration — the South Bronx I
• inspiration — the South Bronx II
• inspiration — the South Bronx III
• Phase III — the background II
• Phase III — the background III
• Phase III — the background IV
• Phase III — the background V
• Phase IV — landscaping I
• Phase IV — landscaping II
• Phase IV — landscaping III
• Detail A — rubble I
• Detail B — lean-to (manger) I
• Detail B — lean-to (manger) II
• Detail C — angel's up
• Detail A — rubble II
• Detail A — rubble III
• Detail A — rubble IV
• Detail A — rubble V
• Phase V — getting things place
• Detail C — fire hydrant
• Detail B — lean-to (manger) III
• Detail D — the shepherdess & the synagogue
• Detail E — graffiti writer busted I
• Detail E — graffiti writer busted II
• Detail F — down the street I
• Detail F — down the street II
• Detail G — the trains
• Phase VI — everything in place
• Phase VII — a visitor
• Phase VIII — gnats I
• Phase VIII — gnats II
• Phase VIII — gnats III
• Phase IX — back in place
• Phase X — sneakers I
• Phase X — sneakers II
• the big picture