Colossal | A blog about art and visual ingenuity.

Remarkable Macro Photographs of Ice Structures and Snowflakes

Remarkable Macro Photographs of Ice Structures and Snowflakes snow macro ice

We’re all familiar with the most common shapes of ice: snow flakes, icicles, snowmen, cookie dough ice cream. But break out the macro lens and suddenly we’re in unfamiliar territory as ice branches out, curls in on itself, and grows in shapes that look more like the delicate leaves of ferns than solid cold water. Russian photographer Andrew Osokin has done a phenomenal job of capturing such bizarre ice formations, you can explore hundreds more photos over in his LensArt profile. (via the curious brain)

Isaac Newton vs. Rube Goldberg: A Gravity-Defying Chain Reaction

Isaac Newton vs. Rube Goldberg: A Gravity Defying Chain Reaction Rube Goldberg machines magnets gravity

It’s been a while since we’ve had a quality Rube Goldberg device here on Colossal and it appears the folks over at Toronto-based 2D House have stepped up to the challenge. Isaac Newton vs. Rube Goldberg is an extremely slick chain reaction aided by magnets and all matter of visual trickery. Just watch, try to guess which way is up, and have your mind blown. 2d House has also produced a number of other Rube Goldberg devices which you can see here. (via colossal submissions)

By Christopher on December 5, 2012 • gravity magnets Rube Goldberg machines

The Present: An Annual Clock that Tells Time in Seasons

The Present: An Annual Clock that Tells Time in Seasons seasons color clocks

Making the rounds this year on a couple of design-y gift guides is The Present, a clock designed by Booklyn-based creative firm m ss ng p eces. The clock automatically sets itself to the current calendar date when you insert two AA batteries and then takes a year to make an entire revolution as the single hand highlights colors associated with the passing season. An original run of the clock was successfully funded on Kickstarter last year, but the clock is now available to the general public through their website.

By Christopher on December 4, 2012 • clocks color seasons

The Surreal, Infrared Photography of David Keochkerian

The Surreal, Infrared Photography of David Keochkerian landscapes infrared

These infrared photographs taken by France-based photographer David Keochkerian look like bizarre, saturated landscapes created from a Dr. Seuss illustration. Seasons seem reversed, with white trees appearing in spring, and bushes are transformed into something that looks like fragile blades of bubble gum. You can see much more on Facebook, and Keochkerian tells me some images are avilable as limited edition prints if you contact him directly. If you liked this, also check out the work of Richard Mosse. (via gaks)

By Christopher on December 3, 2012 • infrared landscapes

The Balanced Rock Sculptures of Michael Grab Rely Solely on Gravity

The Balanced Rock Sculptures of Michael Grab Rely Solely on Gravity rocks land art balance

Land artist Michael Grab creates astonishing towers and orbs of balanced rocks using little more than patience and an astonishing sense of balance. Grab says the art of stone balancing has been practiced by various cultures around the world for centuries and that he personally finds the process of balancing to be therapeutic and meditative.

Over the past few years of practicing rock balance, simple curiosity has evolved into therapeutic ritual, ultimately nurturing meditative presence, mental well-being, and artistry of design. Alongside the art, setting rocks into balance has also become a way of showing appreciation, offering thanksgiving, and inducing meditation. Through manipulation of gravitational threads, the ancient stones become a poetic dance of form and energy, birth and death, perfection and imperfection.

Almost all of the works you see here were completed this fall in locations around Boulder, Colorado. You can see much more in his portfolio as well as several videos of him working over on YouTube.

By Christopher on December 3, 2012 • balance land art rocks

Pop Bubble Wrap While you Wait for Instant Anti-Stress

Pop Bubble Wrap While you Wait for Instant Anti Stress street art

It’s the universally gratifying sensation felt by every man, woman, and child who has ever torn open a package to discover an object protected with bubble wrap: the satisfying pop caused from squeezing little plastic pockets of air (and WOE to the person responsible for inventing the new sheets of bubble wrap that are actually just one contiguous pocket of air and are completely un-poppable, you made my son cry, but I digress). In an attempt to help minimize the stress caused from the tedium of waiting for a late train, Italian street artist Biancoshock installed sheets of bubble wrap cut into squares labeled with the approximate amount of time it would take to pop them. Brilliant. (via rebel art)

By Christopher on December 3, 2012 • street art

Architectural Watercolors by Maja Wrońska

Architectural Watercolors by Maja Wrońska watercolor painting architecture

I’m really enjoy the use of structure and color by Poland-based watercolor artist Maja Wrońska who has captured some lovely scenes from Paris, Venice, Prague, and elsewhere. Catch more of her work over on DeviantArt. (via my darkened eyes)