This is why you never, ever give tanks to cats. This will probably become required internet viewing over the next couple days or probably hours. A project by The Whitehouse Post.
Concrete LampsMay 13
These three concrete lamps by Henrik Karlsson are truly exceptional. Via his web site:
This is the first prototypes of 3 lamps I’ve made. I wanted to work with the contrast of the clean scandinavian design and the rough imperfect concrete. The plan is to start producing and sell these in limited edition of each design. Each lamp will be numbered and signed. Since the are handmade, all lamps will have an unique look to them. [... ] This is a personal project and I’ve done everything from design, to the fabrication of the moulding shapes aswell as the moulding of the lamps myself. I’ve also taken the product photos.
The heavy, utilitarian use of concrete is an interesting take on something that is generally designed to appear light or weightless. I really hope this project comes to fruition. Click images above for details.
The wicked witch bites it on the streets of Verona, ItalyMay 13
Zimoun: 138 prepared dc-motors, cotton balls, cardboard boxesMay 12
Swiss sound sculptor Zimoun (previously) just updated with this new installation in Bergen, Norway. Of all his works of the past few years this is by far one of my favorites. There’s something about the hypnotic motion of the cotton balls and the imposing grid of cardboard boxes that makes me wish I was standing in that room. See his constantly updated compilation video here.
Tangram States PostcardsMay 12
These Tangram States Postcards by Midnight Umbrella are flippin’ sweet. A pack of 10 full-color, offset printed cards for just $10. (via @thesearethings)
New work by Jeremy Geddes: A Perfect VacuumMay 12
(click for detail)
A fantastic new oil painting by Jeremy Geddes (previously). Indications suggest it will be produced as a limited edition print at some point in the near future. More details over at Arrested Motion.
Hold a building in your hand: augmented reality on a postage stampMay 12
For the past several years Chicagoans have been following the debacle of the Chicago Spire, a 150-floor spiraling skyscraper designed by Santiago Calatrava that would have towered above every other building in the Western Hemisphere. Though due to mismanaged finances, an awful housing market, and the overall impact of the 2008 financial crisis the spire was never meant to be and all we got was a glorious 76-foot-deep hole (previously).
Recognizing this global trend of failed/experimental/never-to-be-built architecture, the Netherlands Institute of Architecture has teamed up with the Dutch postal service (TNT Post) to honor these architects and their unrealized designs in an incredible sheet of stamps. But these aren’t your normal postage stamps. Each is printed with a unique QR-code that when placed in front of a webcam erect 3D buildings in the palm of your hand. Via Aaron Betsky:
The postage-stamp-size exhibit consists of five buildings. As a bonus, if you hold up a whole sheet to the camera, you see an image of the NAI itself. Moreover, the stamps are paired with an Augmented Reality App called UAR (Urban Augmented Reality) that lets you place this and other unbuilt structures in meatspace by holding your iPhone up to the site.
I’m not a huge fan of QR codes and in fact I don’t think I’ve ever used one, however this strikes me as a pretty amazing idea. Head on over to the project site here but you’ll need some postage stamps in-hand to make everything work. Any Dutch Colossal readers wanna help a blogger out? (via notcot)
Nava Lubelski turns tax returns and rejection letters into organic paper sculpturesMay 12
Nava Lubelski creates these cellular sculptures using tightly rolled paper scrolls comprised of tax returns, rejection letters, and other collected waste paper.
Shredded paper sculptures, such as the Tax Files, reconfigure a mass of paper that has been grouped and saved due to written content, into slabs reminiscent of tree cross-sections where the climate of a given year, and the tree’s overall age are visible in a single slice. Historical information is revealed in the colors of deposit slips, pay stubs, receipts and tax forms. The cellular coils spiral outward, mimicking biological growth, as they are glued together into flat rounds, which suggest lichen, doilies or disease.
Ah yes, the annual disease of taxes, something I can relate to. If you liked this, check out Amy Genser’s paper reefs. (via cartwheel galaxy)
