Monthly Archives: February 2013
Phone Booths Turned Into Fish Tanks
A group of art students in Japan known as Kingyobu have repurposed old phone booths into goldfish aquariums across Osaka, Japan.
Gobi Desert Xiangshawan Desert Lotus Hotel
Asian architecture firm PLaT is the leading design mind behind the Xiangshawan Desert Lotus Hotel in the Gobi Desert.
Local materials are sourced in this hotel’s interior as well as the structure. The lobby floor is filled with the exterior’s sand that has spilled over onto the entry. The walls take a majority of the load so as not to interfere with the ever changing wind blown atmosphere. The hotel’s structure has a tiered system that provides white shades and underpassages to shield visitors from the blazing desert sun.
Sivu – Better Man Than He
This is the music video for Better Man Than He by British artist Sivu. Sivu went inside an MRI scanner and sang repeatedly for 2 to 3 hours to make it happen!
Halley: Comet Inspired Outdoor Lighting by Vibia
Wow. This is so cool. Just what you need for the long warm and dark summer nights.
The “Halley” light designed by Jordi Vilardell and Meritxell Vidal for Vibia is a great option that adds just a touch of whimsy and class to your backyard soirees.
Inspired by the ever-famous Halley’s Comet, this fixture is a completely portable LED light to assist in illuminating a whole array of situations. Halley has the ability to extend, retract and bend in multiple ways, and it’s handy travel bag comes along for those times when you’re camping, throwing a party or just lounging on a Summer evening.
When we expect more from others
Dramatically Blurred Oil Paintings by Valerio D’Ospina
Cool oil paintings by Valerio D’Ospina, who was born in southern Italy, but now living and working in Pennsylvania. The artist paints gritty scenes from industry including ship yards, trains, and factories as well as broad “urbanscapes” that are captured from a dramatic, almost blurred perspective. His most recent solo show was at Hall Spassov Gallery back in October.
Oxfam: Give Naked
Each year during the holiday months an extra 5 million tons of garbage is added to our landfills, mostly due to wrapping paper. If we all gave naked with just a few presents, we could save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. So huddle up gifters. Get crafty. Get creative. Give naked.
Crowded Overhead View of Tiny Hong Kong Apartments
Many people who live in New York City might believe that they have a ‘small’ apartment. But, after seeing this photo series of cramped apartments, you might reconsider. And that’s exactly what the human rights organization Society for Community Organization (SoCo) was going for when they commissioned the project.
In the middle of 2012, Hong Kong was ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities. But, the issue with these types of glamorous rankings is that, often times, a city’s major problems are pushed aside. In an effort to raise awareness about the inadequate housing concerns in Hong Kong, and about the percentage of people who survive in extremely tiny living quarters, SoCo developed this photo campaign that features an aerial view of incredibly crowded apartments.
Often no bigger than a large cubicle, the apartments average about 40 square feet and are the result of dividing already small spaces into smaller, partitioned rentals. Each wide-angle photograph, shot from overhead, highlights individuals and families, along with their belongings, surviving in these very crammed and extreme conditions.
Big thanks to Nezar for finding this.
LEGO based hotel built in Carlsbad, California
Of course you need a LEGO hotel right next to California’s very own Legoland amusement park in Carlsbad, California.
Opening in April of this year, the LEGO hotel will feature bold and interactive decor, event spaces, buffet restaurant – and of course, a fun themed pool. Not only will the pool be themed, but the rooms and suites are all designed around the most popular Legoland areas: Adventure, Kingdom and Pirate.
Giant Table and Chairs as an Unconventional Horse Shelter
A farmer and merchant located in Doellstaedt, East Germany created these giant furniture pieces that inadvertently acted as a shelter to his livestock.
Protecting the horses from the elements, whether it be rain, sun or snow; the land owner also wanted to advertise his products for sale. Though it’s located in a relatively simple and untouched area, this shelter has garnered worldwide recognition. Certainly a whimsical outlook on any sort of conventional barn or stable.
Canal+ – The Bear
You might have seen this commercial from Canal+ called “The Bear”. Coz’ it’s actually old. But it still makes me laugh.
Overview
Stunningly beautiful. And super inspiring video.
On the 40th anniversary of the famous ‘Blue Marble’ photograph taken of Earth from space, Planetary Collective presents a short film documenting astronauts’ life-changing stories of seeing the Earth from the outside – a perspective-altering experience often described as the Overview Effect.
The Overview Effect, first described by author Frank White in 1987, is an experience that transforms astronauts’ perspective of the planet and mankind’s place upon it. Common features of the experience are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.
‘Overview’ is a short film that explores this phenomenon through interviews with five astronauts who have experienced the Overview Effect. The film also features insights from commentators and thinkers on the wider implications and importance of this understanding for society, and our relationship to the environment.
CAST
Edgar Mitchell: Apollo 14 astronaut and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences
Ron Garan: ISS astronaut and founder of humanitarian organization Fragile Oasis
Nicole Stott: Shuttle and ISS astronaut and member of Fragile Oasis
Jeff Hoffman: Shuttle astronaut and senior lecturer at MIT
Shane Kimbrough: Shuttle/ISS astronaut and Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army
Frank White: Space theorist and author of the book ‘The Overview Effect’
David Loy: Philosopher and author
David Beaver: Philosopher and co-founder of The Overview Institute
CREW
Produced by: Guy Reid, Steve Kennedy, Christopher Ferstad
Director: Guy Reid
Editor: Steve Kennedy
Director of Photography: Christopher Ferstad
Original Score: Human Suits
Dubbing Mixer: Patch Morrison
Thanks to @mortensax for finding this!
Haley Morris-Cafiero’s Photos Of People Sneering At Her Weight
In her series titled Wait Watchers, the photography of Haley Morris-Cafiero turns an eye back on those that turn an eye on her. While creating an image for another series Morris noticed a man “sneering” at her behind her back. Wait Watchers intentionally captures these reactions – the sneer, raised eyebrow, the frown that Morris says she is aware others make in regards to here weight. The sadly familiar scenes play out all the time. However, frozen in a photograph adds another emotional level to the work.
When someone tries to post a YouTube comment
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