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Showing posts from August, 2019

You don't have to be a huge Tolkien fan to appreciate this futurist Hobbit home

This property in Naucalpan, Mexico looks like a modern-day home for Bilbo Baggins. Built by renowned Mexican architect Javier Senosiain, the Organic House is modeled after the shape of a peanut shell. Inside, the home features a living room, dining space, a kitchen, and sleeping areas with dressing room and bathroom. While no real hobbits live here, the exterior is majestic. There are trees and grasses everywhere to provide visitors with privacy and to protect the house from heat and outside noise. Further adding to its allure is the fact that the furnishings are integrated with the surroundings. Description provided by the website: "The organic house was born of the idea of creating a space suited to human beings, adapted to their environmental, physical, and psychological needs, which takes into account both their natural origins and their historical background. The aim was to create surroundings similar to the maternal cloister, to the refuges of animals or to t

Juan Rivas Fernandez's Outdoor Art

Public art not only adds color and character to towns and cities, but also helps to support a global community of artists. Why wait in line at a gallery or museum when these impressive pieces are on display in the street? And they can be enjoyed for free! I was searching for something interesting today and I found it in the works of Juan Rivas Fernandez. The Spanish artist creates fascinating pieces by drawing or painting a landscape in some part of that landscape. He started his Paintings in Place (Pintura en el Lugar) series as an experiment with different surfaces for him to spend more time outside the studio. From lampposts and benches to utility boxes and ladders, ordinary objects are canvas in the hands of Juan. Here are my favorites: Be sure to check out Juan's Instagram for more.

LEGO creates audio and braille instructions for blind kids

Blind and visually impaired children can now enjoy LEGO just as much as their sighted friends do, thanks to the Danish company's audio and braille building instructions. From LEGO : "While these instructions show radical innovation, there’s still a lot of progress to be made in terms of further developing the AI software and automating the process. The long term ambition is to add more languages and support all future product launches - most importantly however, is to ensure fun and high quality learning through play experiences." The service is currently available for free through the LEGO Audio Instructions site . It's still in pilot stage but, depending on consumer feedback, the company will launch more audio and braille instructions next year.

This thread-like robot could be used to treat clots in the brain

A team of MIT engineers have developed a thread-like robot that they hope will make surgeons' lives easier one day. It's less than a millimeter thick and coated in a self-lubricating material. The device is controlled by magnets, and can easily worm its way through hard-to-reach places in the human body. In the future, this robotic thread may be paired with existing endovascular technologies, enabling surgeons to remotely perform delicate procedures. WATCH:

Kyra drops video for new song 'Cause & Cure'

Kyra's video for her latest track 'Cause & Cure' is an absolute stunner. It's mysterious and almost otherworldly, and the three and a half clip transports me somewhere forbidden. Since last month my playlists have been 90s rock. Kyra blasting in my ears at 3am? It'll be a nice change.

Want to repel mosquitoes? Use graphene-lined clothes

Health officials in the Philippines continue to seek better weapons against dengue fever as death toll from the mosquito-borne disease continues to rise in several regions in the country. Some people use insect repellents, while others use biological alternatives to kill the thirsty little bloodsuckers. Graphene also prevents mosquito bites. A team of researchers at Brown University discovered that graphene-lined clothing not only is an effective physical barrier to those pesky insects, it also blocks chemical signals in sweat that encourage them to bite. "With the graphene, the mosquitoes weren't even landing on the skin patch—they just didn't seem to care," according to Cintia Castillho, a PhD student at Brown and the study's lead author. Since its discovery in 2004, graphene has been dubbed as a wonder material. It is stronger than steel, lighter than paper, conducts heat and electricity, and highly flexible.

New Davis Guggenheim documentary examines the mind of Bill Gates

The trailer for a three-part docuseries examining the life of Bill Gates in all of its complexity has just been released. Directed by Davis Guggenheim ( An Inconvenient Truth, It Might Get Loud ), Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates will focus on the tech visionary's post-Microsoft life as he pursues unique solutions to some of the world's most persistent problems. It comes to Netflix on September 20.

Pornhub's raunchy new campaign seeks to clean up the world's oceans

It's disturbing to think that there are now people who go to the beach just to party. The result: piles of rubbish scattered along the shore, with layers of trash buried beneath the sand, too. So, how can we help clean up our nasty beaches? Here comes Pornhub to the rescue. The Canadian adult website recently launched a new campaign to raise money to clean up the pollution in our oceans. Titled the Dirtiest Porn Ever, the video features two amateurs having sex on one of the world's filthiest beaches. For every viewing of the flick, Pornhub will donate to Ocean Polymers, a non-profit group that collects and recycles plastic waste from waters around the world. But if you're not into porn and want to help in other ways, this link has a bunch of tips on how you can support the cause.

Ella & Pitr paint Europe's largest mural

French street art duo Ella & Pitr recently finished Europe's largest mural on a roof of a Paris building, beating their own record set a few years ago. The massive artwork— the size of four football pitches — features an image of an elderly woman and can be fully viewed only from the sky. Using spray cans filled with diluted acrylic, the artists completed the piece over the course of eight days. It will exist until 2022, when the building is to be demolished as part of a renovation project to prepare the complex for the forthcoming Olympic Games.

Meet Hyundai’s lightweight, all-electric foldable scooter

Concept vehicles are huge hits at motor shows, but the most badass designs hardly ever make it to production. Every once in a while, though, manufacturers build a prototype that is well crafted, relevant, and seemingly marketable. This is Hyundai's foldable electric scooter . It weights roughly 17 pounds, and folds into three parts. Powered by a 10.5 Ah lithium battery, it can travel up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) and is designed to mount future Hyundai and Kia vehicles in order to charge and re-charge. The scooter is equipped with two front LED headlights and two rear tail lamps. Unfortunately, there's no word yet on when a commercial model will hit the streets. WATCH:

An Ode to Feet

There's a reason why older people wear hideous footwear, it's because they're comfortable. Call these sandals what you will, but I'd proudly prance my Birks any day of the week.  

When was your last eye test?

Loving these digital posters from EyeHealth1st. Aimed at middle-aged people in Australia, the "Look Deeper" campaign was launched to reduce the alarming incidence of blindness and vision loss. It featured a hard hitting image of an "eyesberg" with the tagline "Eye disease. There's a lot you don't see." An initiative of MyHealth1st, EyeHealth1st's aim is to create better awareness around the significance of regular eye health checks and early detection. It is the largest online directory for optometrists in Australia with a mission to end preventable blindness. Kudos to Messy Design for their ground-breaking ideas!

Christine Bay paints beautiful pieces on MetroCards

There's something captivating about miniature works of art. Joseph Martinez paints tiny portraits inside matchbooks. Turkish artist Mesut Kul uses micro canvases, including pumpkin seeds, rice grains and beans. Now, let me introduce you to the world of Christine R. Bay, a self-taught artist, illustrator and designer from Singapore who paints enchanting oil portraits on MetroCards. I recently discovered Christine's work on Ello and now I'm infatuated with it. When she's not painting, you'll find her sketching on her iPad, crocheting or participating in some doodling gigs. She also hangs out at her studio, thinking of what she wants to sew next. From Christine's website : "Her painting topics usually revolve around current social and environmental issues and she mostly conveys her thoughts and ideas via portraits with surreal elements involving nature. Being a maker, she sometimes incorporates various crafting skills into her pieces."

Japanese artist En Iwamura creates adorable ceramic sculptures

Kyoto-born artist En Iwamura is showing his latest ceramic creations in a special show on August 31 at the Ross+Kramer Gallery in East Hampton, New York. En's sculpted objects, which he describes as three-dimensional clay doodling, exudes nothing but good vibes with their quirky, playful style. He consciously uses childhood influences such as manga and anime, and draws inspiration from both American and Japanese historical and pop-cultural references along with his own life experiences. Born in 1988, En completed both his BFA and MFA in craft from Kanazawa College of Art and Craft in 2011 and 2013, respectively. His works have been shown in New York City, Seattle, Kansas City, Durham, NC, Japan, Canada, China and more. Thanks for the tip, Rachel.

For readers who love Basquiat

It's been thirty-one years since Jean-Michel Basquiat 's tragic death, but his work still remains in our art consciousness. Now, a new book explores the other side of the graffiti artist turned painter. "Basquiat-isms is a collection of essential quotations from this godfather of urban culture. In these brief, compelling, and memorable selections, taken from his interviews as well as his visual and written works, Basquiat writes and speaks about culture, his artistic persona, the art world, artistic influence, race, urban life, and many other subjects. Concise, direct, forceful, poetic, and enigmatic, Basquiat's words, like his art, continue to resonate." Basquiat-isms , edited by Larry Warsh, is out now.

KFC introduces plant-based fried chicken

When it's warm and sunny, my daughter wants fried chicken. When it's cold and rainy, she wants fried chicken. But would she ever try one of these? In a partnership with Beyond Meat, KFC is launching a plant-based, chicken substitute (available in nuggets or boneless wings) at one of its Atlanta stores starting Tuesday. Customers will get a free sample of the faux meat when they buy something that day, and the restaurant will ask for their feedback. Depending on customer response, the fast food giant will decide how to move forward with the product for "a broader test or potential national rollout". Beyond Meat has teamed up with several fast food chains, including Carls Jr. and Subway, to provide plant-based meat options. Rival company Impossible Foods has options at Burger King, Little Caesars, and Red Robin, among others. It looks like chicken, it smells like chicken, it tastes like chicken and it cooks like chicken, but hardcore real meat lovers may find K

Artist reimagines Jesus Christ as fashion brand ambassadors

If you have ever caught yourself wondering how Jesus Christ would look if he was a brand ambassador for some of the world's high-end fashion labels, you have found yourself an answer! Marc Gaba , a Filipino artist based in Manila, must have had the same nagging question because he has turned the Messiah into a fashion icon.  Marc, who received his MFA from the University of Iowa, has presented numerous solo exhibitions in different Manila galleries such as Galleria Duemila, Silverlens, Artery Art Space, Art Informal, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.  While focused on painting, his practice includes installation, video, books and photography. His subjects are equally diverse, exploring public space, the Internet, Catholicism, antiterrorism, Modernist abstraction and language. Before immersing himself fulltime into contemporary art, Marc was an award-winning poet and university professor. "When I paint, I let my body have its say, and I’ve learned to

Cristina BanBan's vibrant paintings of voluptuous women

These colorful and bubbly images are the work of Cristina BanBan , a Spanish artist and illustrator currently based in London. She paints mostly with acrylics, and I'm engrossed in her bold, vibrant style and voluptuous characters. Cristina is one of the newest voices to emerge in the London art scene and has already extensively exhibited her paintings in numerous shows. She is a Fine Arts graduate of the University of Barcelona, and received Royal Academy's Arts Club Award in 2017. Be sure to follow Cristina on Instagram for more colorful and humorous paintings.

This company will pay you 30 grand to take time off from work and travel the world

Earn $30,000 to do whatever you want, whether that be traveling to Switzerland, skydiving, or snorkeling in the best sites in Palawan, in exchange for taking a few weeks off work. STōK Cold Brew Coffee is looking for people to pursue their dreams. $90,000 will be divided among three lucky winners: $10,000 each as a stipend and another $20,000 apiece to cover the cost of their adventures. All they have to do is document their journey on social media. No academic qualifications are needed, "but impeccable use of the hashtag game is a must." A passion for travel and photography are also considered to be an advantage.  To apply, simply go to QuitYourJobAndGetStoKed.com and submit a maximum 300-word summary of "what you do now for a living and what you wish you were doing if you had $30,000 to do it." Just make sure you read the entire Program Responsibilities and Requirements before you jump in. Good luck!

Robert Dean Lurie has a new book about R.E.M.'s early years

Begin the Begin: R.E.M.'s Early Years by Robert Dean Lurie is another reason to shut down my computer and stay in bed reading the book in my boxers. There have been several books published about R.E.M, but this one is the first biography completely researched and written since the band's breakup in 2011. "It offers by far the most detailed account of the group's formative years--their early lives, their first encounters with one another, their legendary debut show, early tours in the back of a van, initial recordings, their shrewdly paced rise to fame. The people and places of the American South are crucial to the R.E.M. story in ways much more complex and interesting than have previously been presented, claims Robert Dean Lurie; he explores the myriad ways in which the band's adopted hometown of Athens, Georgia--and the South in general--shaped its members and the character of their art. The South is much more than the background here; it plays a major ro

The Art of Richey Beckett

Richey Beckett is an illustrator who works and lives in South Wales, United Kingdom. Working in record covers, movie posters, and screen printed artwork, Rickey has proven himself as a prolific artist trusted by a number of clients. 
Metallica, Grateful Dead, Mastodon, New Republic Magazine, and The British Film Institute are just some of the groups who have utilized his talent. On his bio, it reads: "Beckett uses traditional pen and ink methods to create lavishly detailed pieces of black and white illustration. Taking influence from historic biblical, literary and natural history illustrators and engravers such as Doré, Durer, Audubon and Bewick, along with the decorative flair of Art Nouveau, he creates his own organic world which expands with each new piece." Be sure to check out more of Richey's work here .

Adidas celebrates 70 years with an awesome diorama film

From Run-DMC to Beyoncé, to Muhammad Ali, and Stan Smith, adidas has been a fixture in pop culture for seven decades. In celebration of the brand's 70th anniversary, ad agency Opinionated and production company House Special created a 30-second diorama film paying tribute to some of the most iconic people to wear adidas Originals. View this post on Instagram A post shared by adidas Originals (@adidasoriginals) on Aug 18, 2019 at 11:50am PDT

A bookstore high in the clouds

Chinese architecture firm Wutopia Lab has built a spectacular bookstore in the heart of Shanghai.  The flagship store for Duoyun Books is massive and features a breathtaking panoramic view of the city from a height of 239 meters. It is located on the 52nd floor of Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China, and holds more than 60,000 books. The shop has become so popular that tourists have to line up for three hours to get in. According to China Daily, the bookstore received more than 40,000 customers and achieved sales amounting to 130,000 yuan ($18,293) on its opening day (August 12). Aside from the bookstore, the site also has a restaurant, a lecture room, an exhibition space, a café, a bar, and a huge rooftop garden.