Just because the Olympics are over doesn’t mean world records are safe. On Tuesday, March 29, photography students from the NIU School of Art and Design are going to attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest cut-paper snowflake.
The snowflake design will incorporate images chosen by the students and then cut into paper which will be unfolded into a snowflake that far surpasses the current record of 20 feet, 0.5 inches set in 2019.
“Our curriculum explores ways that students can transform their photographs from something small to something large–both physically in size/scale and metaphorically in message/impact,” said Jessica Labatte, associate professor of art and photography area coordinator in the School of Art and Design. “As we have been exploring size and scale, we have been inspired to take on this monumental feat by reading about the launch of the new James Webb Space Telescope, reflections on images of human achievements included on the Voyager Golden Record, and thinking about the pandemic, social justice movements, and all of the rapid societal change over the last few years. We have been inspired by thinking about how one individual may seem small, but when a community comes together, noting is impossible. We view our snowflake as a time capsule to mark this moment as we transition out of winter into spring, out of the pandemic, and into a different world. Each student has selected an image to include on the snowflake that reflects their feelings about what is important in this time.”
The attempt will take place on the field of the NIU Convocation Center March 29 from 1 p.m. to approximately 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. In accordance with Guinness Book of World Records requirements independent witnesses and an independent surveyor will be on hand to help confirm the process and the final measurements.
