“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

The Tibetan night sky was captured in these beautiful images showing the stunning buildings and statues in the Himalayan mountains. Grey Chow, 33, traveled for two hours to get to the Spiti Valley to capture the starry backdrop along the isolated, deserted roads. The senior project engineer was able to take amazingly clear images thanks to the limited amount of pollution at the 4,500-foot (1371m) altitude. (Photo by Grey Chow/Caters News Agency)

Teeming with images of spectacular underwater scenes from around the world, Call of the Blue is the culmination of a five-year project by the photographer and ocean conservationist Philip Hamilton. This groundbreaking book includes contributions from acclaimed scientists and ocean “guardians”, who reveal what drove them to answer the call of the blue. (Photo by Philip Hamilton/The Guardian)

In this Saturday, July 4, 2015 photo, Israeli and Russian members of knight clubs cook their breakfast before the reenactment of the Battle of Hattin in Lavi Forest, northern Israel. About a third of the participants arrived with their elaborate gear from Russia. The project is supported by the Lower Galilee Regional Council. (Photo by Oded Balilty/AP Photo)

Labourers use a crane to lift the hand of a giant bronze statue of former King Rama I at Ratchapakdi Park in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Thailand, August 4, 2015. The park is being constructed by the Thai army to honor past Thai monarchs and is situated on an army compound near the Klai Kangwon Palace. The project is estimated to cost about 700 million baht ($20,000,000), according to local media. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

A detail of the Sagrada Familia Basilica, designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, October 21, 2015. Barcelona's breathtaking La Sagrada Familia Basilica has begun its final phase of raising six immense towers. Presenting the project Thursday, chief architect Jordi Fauli said the central "Tower of Jesus Christ," the tallest of the six, will rise 172.5 meters (566 feet) high, making it "the tallest religious building in Europe". (Photo by Manu Fernandez/AP Photo)