Colossal | A blog about art and visual ingenuity.

An Abrupt End: Explosive High-Speed Photos by James Huse

An Abrupt End: Explosive High Speed Photos by James Huse studio high speed black and white balloons

Over the past few months I’ve encountered a fair share of high-speed exploding balloon photos, some of which have found their way onto Colossal including the work of Edward Horsford and recently Ryan Taylor. However these magnificent captures by designer James Huse are something wholly different. The surface of these inverted balloon photos flare and whorl like solar flares on the Sun, and yet simultaneously appear cold and frozen, perhaps the result of Huse’s decision to use milk-filled balloons. The project, entitled An Abrupt End was completed as part of his final year at Kingston Upon Thames where he’s studying graphic design and photography. The rest of his work is also impeccable and snagged him a Best New Blood award at the 2011 D&AD Awards. Somebody should hire this guy and pay him lots and lots of money. (via creative review)

Rubber Band Packaging

Rubber Band Packaging rubber bands packaging colors

Given the design brief, “go into a pound shop and pick a seemingly uninteresting object and rebrand it, increasing the value and interest,” graphic design student Ric Bixter selected elastic bands and created this absolutely killer packaging solution. The stronger the band, the more the box appears to be squeezed. I’d grab a box of these over any other. Nice work Ric. (via lovely package, david airey)

By Christopher on July 5, 2011 • colors packaging rubber bands

Crayon LEGO Dudes

Love this set of 8 hand-poured crayons made to look like LEGO men. Looks like there’s a few sets left over at folsky.com (via svpply)

Traveling today, posting will be regrettably light!

By Christopher on July 4, 2011 • chromatic colors crayons kids Lego toys

Light Painting with Roomba Vacuum Cleaners

These photos have apparently been around for a while, but this is totally new to me. An enterprising group of robotic vacuum cleaner owners have used LEDs affixed to the top of their Roombas to create these amazing long exposure photographs. Check out Roomba art group for more. Photos via IBR Roomba, Mike Bala, and Steve Doll. (via laughing squid)

By Christopher on July 3, 2011 • home light lighting long exposure robots

Very Fancy Beverages

Very Fancy Beverages packaging beverages bedazzled

In this final installation of obscure Korean artists, Sung Ji-Hyun has applied a crazy jewel treatment to the packaging of these rather common beverages. Next time you ask for a Grande No-Whip Decaf Frappachino at Starbucks be sure to throw a ‘bedazzled’ in there as well.

By Christopher on July 1, 2011 • bedazzled beverages packaging

Chicago by boat: A timelapse journey

Chicago by boat: A timelapse journey water timelapse maritime Chicago boats

A gorgeous timelapse of a day long trip on Lake Michigan and through the Chicago canal system by director Philip Bloom. Music by Nine Inch Nails, 14 Ghosts II.

By Christopher on July 1, 2011 • boats Chicago maritime timelapse water

Currency Koi

Good lord isn’t this little koi amazing? It’s amazing. Look at all those teeny tiny scaly folds! It originally appeared on the tumblelog of Mizu Kami and was subsequently reblogged about a billion times, ~~but I don’t think he’s the artist~~. I bet the instructions would require 100 times the amount of paper. (via fasels suppe)

Update: It turns out that Mizu Kami did in fact fold the Koi, and the design is by Won Park. (thnx mizu & caitlin!)

By Christopher on June 30, 2011 • fish money origami paper

Yarn Bombing Meets Spray Paint and Stencils

Yarn Bombing Meets Spray Paint and Stencils yarn bombing street art stencils

Here’s something wacky and awesome that I’ve never seen done before. Minneapolis yarn bombing artist HOTTEA (previously) strikes again with this amalgam of street art techniques including a canvas made of yarn, two stencils, and spray paint to create this holy trinity of non-destructive street art. How long does it take for one man to unravel 12 skeins of yarn? Longer than it takes for the sun to rise and set. Jump to around 00:45 in the video to watch the time-lapse. That guy is a yarn wrapping animal!