Photo: via Ruudvisser
Photo: francesco 6903
Photo: sarahkim
Photo: thomaswanhoff
Photo: Gewel Maker
Photo: via Makezine
Photo: via Makezine
Photo: via NYNerd
Photo: via boingboing
Fruits from the melon family are pretty cool. In hotter climes, it doesn’t come much better than chomping on a juicy watermelon, the succulent flesh melting in your mouth before you spit out the pips – preferably aiming at a metallic object for that extra satisfying, spittoon-style ping. That said, we came across an even more pleasing use for our favourite fruit: as the medium for exquisite sculpture.
The skill and patience that must go into carving stuff this intricate is pretty incredible. Yep, definitely not for the heavy-handed. Apparently it's a Chinese art from, though some also say it comes from Japan.
Check it out: a canteloupe rose. It's like a case of art imitating life but playing with the natural order of things – or perhaps just showing how the natural cycle continues. Instead of flowers becoming fruit, fruit become flowers – and, my, what blossom!
Of course, fruit have always been an artist's friend, but usually they're the subject of sketching and painting rather than the very substance from which pieces are created.
Getting a little bored with roses now? Well here's a dolphin.
Watermelon art has certainly been making waves and whetting a few taste buds on the blogosphere, as these next few images show. Here's one for the soppy types, though its a long wait till Valentine's Day unfortunately.
There are lots of examples of designs carved into the skin of melons as if they're a blank canvas to work on. You'll find everything from images of baseball players to depictions of Van Gogh out there. Some of it starts to seem a little tacky though.
This particular art critic prefers it when the entire melon becomes the basis for a stand alone object. It's rather like the way pumpkins are put under the knife come Halloween, except instead of being hollowed out, the fruit is carved into.
Saying "ahh", and looking incredibly lifelike, this next number has become something of a classic. Who can argue?
The only thing with all this creative work is that it's fundamentally throw-away – or perhaps rot-away. Yup, if ever there was art that isn't eternal, it's this lot. At least you could have a nibble if you started feeling peckish. Heaven forbid.
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29 comments
Mouserz (not verified) says:
Mar 21st, 2009 at 2am
Those perfectly sculpted melons look good enough to eat.
slide scanner (not verified) says:
Mar 22nd, 2009 at 1am
These are beautiful but people who made them surely had a lot of time on their hands.
Greg (not verified) says:
Mar 22nd, 2009 at 5am
Is it sad that I was expecting something else?
Artem Russakovskii (not verified) says:
Mar 22nd, 2009 at 7am
Amazing works, especially the detail in the angry old man and the last one with tongue and teeth. Too bad these only last a few days.
Shadowknave (not verified) says:
Mar 22nd, 2009 at 7am
When I was sent this link by a friend, I thought this was for a different type of melons altogether ;-) Oh well, they are pretty cool.
rainmaker (not verified) says:
Mar 22nd, 2009 at 5pm
From the title I was expecting an article about Scarlett Johansson.
Piano Chords (not verified) says:
Mar 22nd, 2009 at 5pm
Awesome, and I thought my mom's melons were the best.
ntopics (not verified) says:
Mar 22nd, 2009 at 8pm
These sculptures are amazing, and fun to see.
What spectacular water melon sculpting skills.
Thanks from tony
shana (not verified) says:
Mar 22nd, 2009 at 10pm
these are amazing. a whole new spin for artistic talent. :) way to go.
Teri (not verified) says:
Mar 23rd, 2009 at 3am
This is awesome! There must be a way to "Preserve" them though ... I don't know .... Maybe wax? or some sort of liquid plastic or silicone or something? Seems such a shame that such great art would only last a few days -
I'm just saying.... LOL ... Teri
Veena (not verified) says:
Mar 24th, 2009 at 2pm
Who ever has done this.....its marvelous!!!!u ve got art on ur finger tip!
Lisis (not verified) says:
May 27th, 2009 at 7pm
Amazing! I am SO going to the grocery store to stock up on sacrificial melons today. If I achieve anything like THIS, I'll email it to you (but I wouldn't count on that happening.)
;-)
GABBY (not verified) says:
Jun 30th, 2009 at 6pm
Wow1 Never seen anything like these melon carvings wonderful takes art to a whole new other level! Thanx for sharing
angeli (not verified) says:
Jul 2nd, 2009 at 11am
those are some melons!! what beautiful sculpting:) going to have some right now!!
maclaren techno classic stroller (not verified) says:
Jul 7th, 2009 at 2pm
some people just have too much time on their hands ... other than that, cool melons.
speaking of melons ... I could eat one atm ... brb
Shitty (not verified) says:
Jul 22nd, 2009 at 2pm
Why did I think there was gonna b tittiez i LVE titties..im bi!!
lpn online (not verified) says:
Aug 13th, 2009 at 11am
speaking of melons I remember I had some - brb :)
nice post btw, stumbled !
rajkumar (not verified) says:
Oct 20th, 2009 at 7pm
Hi,simply amazing of water melon sculpting skills.
Lafa (not verified) says:
Oct 29th, 2009 at 1pm
How could someone make a such artistic thing? Its awesome. Do you have any videos on Youtube doing this?
gaffer (not verified) says:
simply amazing , just look at the details ! i really feel the need to eat a melon now .