The Art of Jose Mertz

Jose Mertz is someone who doesn't mind breaking out of his comfort zone. The Miami-based visual artist blends the contemporary and the traditional and draws inspiration from science fiction, ancient civilizations and the mystic arts. Whether it's a collaboration with Adidas, a mural for Dr. Smood, or a poster for Pacific Rim: Uprising, Jose seems to approach each project with the same passion.

After graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2002, Jose decided to live in New York and studied Zen for several years. During that time he also traveled the world and encountered different people that would eventually inspire his work and change his life.

Below are some of my favorites, but you can check out his website and Instagram for more.

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Preserved tattoos of the dead

The idea of preserving tattoos after death came into existence long before NAPSA . London's Wellcome Collection has over 300 specimens of preserved human flesh bearing tattoos , collected in the late 19th century. There are many more examples of smaller collections in Paris, Poland, Portugal, Berlin, and Austria. But what fascinates me the most is this lesser-known museum at Tokyo University, the Medical Pathology Museum, which houses pieces of skin collected since 1926 by Dr. Masaichi Fukushi. "Fukushi would perform autopsies on donated cadavers and dissect off just the skin. He created a method of treatment to preserve the skin and kept them stretched in a glass frame, essentially like a leather. Later the ownership of the tattooed skin collection was passed on to Fukushi's son Katsunari. Katsunari added a further 20 tattooed skins himself and it's believed that the Medical Pathology Museum has 105 in its collection, many with full body suits." ...

I normally hate suits but I'll make an exception for this one

Some people like the feel of satin against their skin. Some want to wrap themselves in wool. But how about wearing clothes made from bagels? Food and fashion enthusiasts will be intrigued by this bizarrely awesome, mouth-watering 'Bagel Suit' by self-proclaimed food-fashionista Ishara Jayakody. From Bon Appétit : The bagel suit took about 100 hours to make, and the wearable version—a vest—took her between 60 and 70 hours. It’s always a long process of experimentation and trial and error, according to Jayakody. "I"ll spray [the food] with different things, leave it out in the sun, put it in the fridge, dissolve it, and so on, until I find something that works," she said. She also goes method on these projects: "When I'm making a bagel dress, all I'm eating is bagels." The process is all-consuming, and between designing and her full-time job, Jayakody doesn't sleep much. The 'Bagel Suit' is not Ishara's first time e...

Acorn-shaped meditation pod

Created by LFZ Studio , this giant acorn in France is a cool space to escape the digital deluge. For some, the wooden pod is a temporary escape from reality. For others, it’s a nice place to take a nap. And for a select few, it’s a nerve-wracking dive into claustrophobia. The pod blends perfectly with the forest and the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds create a natural soundtrack for meditation. In this sanctuary, time seems to slow down, allowing for a deeper connection with oneself and nature. |h/t: Design Boom |

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