Simply beautiful. More details over at It’s nice that. Via @weequzzie.
Image © Mai Suzuki
Image © JeremyV
Art
An interesting little project which was sent my way last week – I was left mouth wide open after watching to the end of the video. The idea of 3D printing is becoming far more mainstream and we use a fair bit of it at work – I even had a leaflet sent to me from HP showing their new desktop 3D printers recently. However this project takes a slightly different approach and uses the power of the sun and sand (silicon) as well as some clever computer work to create objects in the desert – the energy source and material are abundant. The hipster outfit kind of makes it too.
The project is described by it’s author Markus Kayser as follows:
In a world increasingly concerned with questions of energy production and raw material shortages, this project explores the potential of desert manufacturing, where energy and material occur in abundance.
In this experiment sunlight and sand are used as raw energy and material to produce glass objects using a 3D printing process, that combines natural energy and material with high-tech production technology.
Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilisation of the production potential of the world’s most efficient energy resource – the sun. Whilst not providing definitive answers, this experiment aims to provide a point of departure for fresh thinking.
Read MoreTake one completely white empty room, add some sticker sheets, thousands of kids allowed to add them anywhere they want – and you end up with something strangely beautiful!
From this fairly soulless white space…
To this which I find completely beautiful and fascinating at the same time. It would have made a great time-lapse seeing all the kids adding the dots in.
Images © Mark Sherwood (as far as I can tell).
The installation, the obliteration room, is by artist Yayoi Kusama at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. More info at the original post over at thisiscolossal.com.
It looks like she has a show at Tate Modern coming up on the 9th Feb too which I’m definitely going to have to see.
Via Toby Bull
Read MoreAnother link to some rather nice work I’ve found via the wonderful medium of Twitter – it’s so good I’ve definitely had one of those “I wish I’d thought of that” moments with it. It’s a beautiful body of work which is part way through and is seeking funding to complete. Marc describes the work as follows:
“Those decaying vestiges of life-and-death human struggle — falling monuments to bellicosity — have a curious attraction to them. The paradoxes are rich. They once showcased unbridled strength and had the prowess to intimidate as they repelled intruders by unrelenting force. This was human power in its rawest form. Now these feeble structures derive their power from something else. With their guns and posts silent, they stand to testify that all things perish. No act of human defiance can possibly win the greatest of all battles of attrition, that of time…It is vitally important historical work.”
A number of the shots remind me of walking around the local area I grew up in near Bath exploring the old pill boxes, caves and old airfields used during the war – all of which are crumbling and being over taken by nature.
I’m going to buy a print and the book to help contribute – so should you! The thing that really swung it for me was seeing the video below where Marc explains the process and research that has gone into the project.
Edit: I’ve made my contribution to the project with some birthday money. Can’t wait to get my final print!
Read MoreOn Sat evening Emma took me to see an amazing film by Miranda July – The Future – at Tate Modern. I’d previously seen her film Me and You and Everyone We Know which was great. A very arty crowd had arrived for the showing which also included a 30 min Q&A at the end. I wasn’t really sure what to expect of the film but was pleasantly surprised and constantly engaged by it which is rare for me at the cinema.
It’s hard to describe without giving too much away but it reflects upon all sorts of ideas around a couple in their mid 30′s and their lack of commitment, reflections upon growing old(er) and the daily hum drum of life. That is by no means a decent summary and others will do it far more justice. Suffice to say that I think you should see it. I loved it and it’s been incredibly thought provoking since. So many ideas in there but they completely flow without feeling like you’re being spoon fed. A very intelligent film! Watch the trailer and then go and see it.
And here she is. The lovely Miranda July who came across very well during the Q&A. Very genuine and interested in her craft and not fame or fortune. A bargain at £5 ticket too!
After a fairly epic week in terms of work, both Architecture & Photography, I went over to the pre-opening of Franks Campari bar to meet Chris and a few of his friends. I’ve never seen South London so busy with art students and what is commonly known as hipsters I guess. After such a busy week I didn’t stay long but I think I’ll head back a few times this summer to get some more shots of the art and installations and also hopefully to enjoy a few drinks with friends.
And a quick video of the crowds.
And whilst the view really is amazing we really are spoilt by the view from our bedroom window.
I can’t remember who said that but it’s certainly sound advice. Advice which I’ve taken with the purchase of a limited edition print from Simon Kennedy. He’s completed an amazing series of images from the Heygate estate in South London. Unfortunately I missed the exhibition but I’m very pleased to have one of the A1 sized prints from the series hanging in our living room.
And a rubbish iPhone shot of it framed and hung.
Another great link found today. Seem to be finding a lot of cool stuff today. I guess not being at work helps. This time it’s a link to an interview with photographer Shinchi Maruyama over at themorningnews.org. Shinchi has been creating some amazing photos of water sculpture as he calls it. Essentially a splash of water frozen with flash. The gallery of images at the top of the article is fantastic.
Here’s a short video clip showing some of his work with water. Shot with a high speed video camera and then slowed down.
Interestingly* he says he used a Phase P45 medium format camera although the EXIF data on the image says a Nikon D3X.
Image © Shinichi Maruyama
*interesting to me being a full on geek.
Read MoreAfter collecting Liz from Paddington on Friday we headed straight down to the National Portrait Gallery after quickly getting her to pose for a few pics in Trafalgar Square. I’ve been meaning to see the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize this year. Last years was really good and Emma and I even emailed one of the photographers to see how much a print was, turned out it was a little over our budget but never mind. I love portraits and quite how much you can read into someone or the situation they’re in. I find them fascinating and could look at some of them for ages. As usual it was a mixture of headshots, full length, posed, and natural etc, but as usual the standard was very high. Apparently there’s a bit of a joke that the prize is always won by a ginger and this year was no exception. Although it’s a very worthy winner I prefer some of the other shots. One of my favourites was the shot of Charlie Watts, drummer with the Rolling Stones. My other favourite was Merel which seemed to convey such serenity that it felt as though a photographer wasn’t involved at all. The tones and quality of the image are incredible.
It’s incredible to see full size prints like this with such clarity and sharpness as well as the awesome detail in the images. The other favourite part of the exhibition is that it’s only £2 to get in which is a bargain and that they produce a beautiful exhibition catalogue which is only £12 so a good value trip all round really.
Looking forward to the 2011 exhibition.
Charlie Watts, © Michael Donald 2009
Merel, © Clare Shilland
Mind blowing. Such talent.
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