Detail of Through the Groves. All images courtesy of Heron Arts, shared with permissionMagic and Mystery Illuminate Hari & Deeptis Paper-Cut DioramasDecember 20, 2024ArtGrace EbertFor more than a decade, weve been following the intricate dioramas by Hari & Deepti (previously). The Mumbai-based husband and wife are known for their elaborate narratives of cut and layered paper, which they tuck inside frames and backlight with soft LEDs. In recent years, the duo has gravitated toward tiny, delicate patterns while making the overall scenes more minimal.Their new exhibition, Forgotten Places of Beings and Things, opens today at Heron Arts in San Francisco and presents a collection of enchanting works. Minuscule figures navigate lush woodlands and windswept dunes that, when illuminated, appear like worlds of magic and intrigue.The Walk to Two PondsWhat amazes us about the paper-cut light boxes is the dichotomy of these pieces in their lit and unlit states. The contrast is so stark that it has this mystical effect on the viewers, the artists say.Forgotten Places of Beings and Things is on view through January 25. Hari & Deepti recently published an illustrated childrens book titled The Seekers, and you can follow the latest in their collaborative practice on Instagram.The Stories They Told UsThrough the Wind Swept FieldA Forest StructureTime Keepers 1Detail of A Forest StructureUnder the Vine ForestUnder the Vine ForestDetail of It Passes and We StayNext article