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Art Photography

The Struggle to Right Oneself: Kerry Skarbakka Photographs Himself in Suspended Peril

In his photographic self-portrait series Struggle to Right Oneself, artist Kerry Skarbakka captures himself in moments of suspended peril: falling from trees, tumbling head over heels in painfully precarious falls, slipping nude in the shower, or teetering on the edge of a fateful leap from a railway bridge. In his artist statement Skarbakka references philosopher Martin Heidegger’s description of human existence as a process of perpetual falling, and the responsibility of each person to catch ourselves from our own uncertainty. He continues:

This photographic work is in response to this delicate state. It comprises a culmination of thought and emotion, a tying together of the threads of everything I perceive life has come to represent. It is my understanding and my perspective, which relies on the shifting human conditions of the world that we inhabit. It’s exploration resides in the sublime metaphorical space from where balance has been disrupted to the definitive point of no return. It asks the question of what it means to resist the struggle, to simply let go. Or what are the consequences of holding on?

Skarbakka says that he utilizes special climbing gear and other rigging to achieve each shot, but the final images are truly convincing if somewhat ambiguous. This too is on purpose, as the images are meant to leave the viewer questioning. Do they suggest we can fly? Do we fall? What happens when we land? See many more shots from the series over on his website. All images courtesy the artist.

 

Amazing

Moonwalk: Free Climber Dean Potter Walks a Highline Across a Rising Full Moon at Yosemite National Park

This is one of the more impressive full moon time-lapses films you’ll ever see. Directed by Mikey Schaefer and produced by adventure filmmaker Bryan Smith, this remarkable clip captures American free climber Dean Potter as he traverses a high line tied to Cathedral Peak in Yosemite National Park. To get the wild perspective Potter used a camera equipped with a Canon 800mm super telephoto lens positioned over a mile away. Beautiful.

Update: Several people have written to clarify that this is technically not a “time-lapse” film, as both the climber and moon are actually moving in real time, it’s only the magnification of the moon that seems to mimic similar films that capture it in motion. Fair enough.

Amazing

‘Jetman’ Yvet Rossy Conquers the Sky Above the Swiss Alps

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In this unbelievable new video, Swiss pilot Yves Rossy (previously) is seen soaring above the Alps strapped to his one-of-a-kind jet-propelled wing craft. It’s incredible to me that after well over a century of manned flight, we continue to make technological advances like this. My son after seeing this: “Dad, next time is it our turn?” Rossy was filmed by aerial camera operator Evert Cloetens. (via devour)