A. hypogaea albus

The concept for A. hypogaea albus (peanut elves) originated from an extensive interest in the extraordinary and otherworldly occurrent findings hidden within the common world.

As a small child I was taught a game by my mother and grandparents which involved searching for elves inside of raw peanuts. The true origin of the game is unknown, although, it traditionally passed through several generations of my maternal family in The Netherlands as a pastime of discovery, patience, and imagination.

In order to produce the peanut elves, hundreds of peanut halves are sorted through to discover the specimens that contain a recognizable elf "face" in the seedpod when viewed with the naked eye. Then, each seedpod is carefully carved very minimally to enhance the preexisting prominent features of each peanut elf. With focused lighting, careful placement of shadows, and the use of a macro lens, each peanut takes on a distinctive identity with elvish features.

By enlarging the peanut elves approximately thirty times the actual size, the complexity, realism and detail of the individual elves are readily accessible to the viewer. The outcome of the project initiates the viewer into a renewed awareness and piqued interest in discovering, or rediscovering, the typically unseen realm of our existence.

A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 1, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 1, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 2, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 2, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 3, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 3, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 4, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 4, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 5, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 5, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 6, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 6, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 7, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 7, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 8, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 8, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 9, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 9, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 10, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 10, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 11, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 11, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 12, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 12, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 13, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 13, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 14, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 14, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 15, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 15, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 16, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 16, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 17, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 17, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 18, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 18, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3


A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 19, 2008
A. hypogaea albus (peanut elf), fig. 19, 2008
C-print
30 x 20 inches
Edition of 3