“In 1967, Zhang Yaxin was 34 and working as a photojournalist at China’s state-controlled Xinhua News Agency when he was assigned to a top-secret government project. He was to be the official photographer of a new arts program led by Chairman Mao and his wife – the Model Operas. Though he was not to know it then, Zhang would spend the next seven years documenting the evolution of one of the most dramatic and elaborate attempts to redefine artistic sensibilities in modern art history”. – Chengcheng Jiang via TIME. Photo: Raid on the White Tiger Regiment, 1971. (Photo by Zhang Yaxin/Courtesy See+ Gallery, Beijing)

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Based on the layout of Helm’s Deep featured in Peter Jackson’s film adaptation, this 150,000 brick set piece is astounding. The artists, who go by the names Rich-K and Big J, apparently, nail the atmosphere and scale of the conflict of one Lord of the Rings most iconic scenes. At the time these photos were taken, the model was about 90% complete, with an estimated four months worth of work. The time, money and personal investment that must have gone into this project is impressive.

The dapper beasts are the creation of Barcelona-based artist and photographer Yago Partal, 31, whose work has achieved a cult following online. In his latest project he has merged photographs and illustrations to create a set of quirky animal portraits. Photo: “Hare wearing a v-neck jumper and shirt”. (Photo by Yago Partal/Barcroft Media)

See also: Zoo Portraits By Yago Partal. Part 1

From sandwich-saurus to a scary leprechaun the sometimes terrifying and often hilarious foodstuffs are the creation of New York artist Kasia Haupt. The 29-year-old advertising art director has even had her work commissioned as prints making her a real-life Salvador DELI. Photo: “Kasia Haupt's sandwich monsters: Love Bunnies”. (Photo by Kasia Haupt/Caters News)

Queenie Liao is an artist but first of all a mother and she wanted to show that you can be both… at the same time. With her creative photography she caught the dreams of her child during his sleeps: the result is a brilliant compilation of photos where her baby is the absolout protagonist. Pacific as if nothing happens around him, his daily sleeps are transformed by Queenie Liao into fascinating fairy tales by using plain cloths, stuffed animals, and other common household . A brillaint work that makes us remember our childhood, where our dreams were full of magic.

It has taken 3,000 hours and 34 years to make – but the results are incredible. Artist Scott Weaver has created a huge but incredibly detailed model of San Francisco using 100,000 toothpicks. The work entitled Rolling Through the Bay also doubles as a marble run. Ping pong balls dropped on several ramps at the top of the model follow several “tours” through the city. They pass matchstick replicas of sights such as Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge and the city's trademark terraced houses on steep hills.

Patrick Boyle, The Earl of Glasgow and his son David, Viscount Kelburn pose at their home Kelburn Castle on August 30, 2011 in Largs, Scotland. The Earl of Glasgow has asked Historic Scotland if the graffiti can remain as a permanent feature of the Castle. The local council allowed the mural to be painted on the wall by Brazilian artists in 2007, with a three year limit put on the graffiti pending the start of rendering work at the castle.(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)