For Michael Pederson, happenstances of infrastructure, nature, and the urban landscape present endless opportunities for the imagination. His playful miniatures scale the stems of weeds, reimagine gaps in walls, and reinterpret coincidences. Tiny structures and signs draw our attention to marvels of nature, like the seven-centimeter-tall “Mount Paltry,” or invite viewers into mysterious realms beyond civilization. Tapping into everyday occurrences and impressions, Pederson transforms the mundane into moments of wonder and delight.

If you’re in Seoul, see Pederson’s work in the show Room for Wonder at Groundseesaw until June 4.

A miniature installation by Michael Pederson of a sign reading "Mount Paltry, The world's smallest mountain" next to a tiny rock

A tiny sculpture by Michael Pederson of a tree house in a weed growing out of a sidewalk

An up-close view of a miniature installation by Michael Pederson of tiny signs installed next to a circular hole in a concrete wall, which read

A miniature installation by Michael Pederson of tiny signs installed next to a circular hole in a concrete wall, which read

A miniature installation by Michael Pederson of a tiny sign that reads

A miniature installation by Michael Pederson of a gap in the base of a brick wall into which he has installed a small stage set, where cockroaches perform in front of an audience of more cockroaches

A miniature installation by Michael Pederson of a gap in the base of a brick wall into which he has installed a small stage set, where cockroaches perform in front of an audience of more cockroaches

A miniature installation by Michael Pederson of a gap at the base of a stone wall with a tiny stairwell leading up into it and a stanchion with a sign reading

A miniature installation by Michael Pederson of a gap at the base of a stone wall with a gate and a replica digital sign that reads

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