Archive for the ‘Art & Related’ Category

Posted on December 14, 2009 - by CDS

Nano Snowman

Meet the tiniest snowman ever created, measuring an amazing 0.01mm across (1/5 the width of a human hair). Although not actually made of snow, it sure is cute. In reality the tiny snowman is made from two microscopic tin beads welded together with platinum. Normally these beads are used to calibrate electron microscopes. David Cox, a nanotech expert at the National Physical Lab, used a focused ion beam to etch the smile and eyes and to deposit a bit of platinum for the nose; demonstrating the astonishing accuracy of his work. The artificial blue light really adds to the ambiance of this micro-creation.

Posted on December 14, 2009 - by CDS

Retro PhilcoPC

This retro artwork PC was designed and developed by SchultzeWorks, Pasadena, California. The Philco PC placed in the top three in a V-Ray sponosored design competition. Makers say the retro look was inspired by a mix of, “1954 design classic Philco Predicta [television], as well as an eclectic mixture of modern minimalism, the steampunk movement, and antiques”. Check out the SchultzeWorks website for more info.

Posted on December 8, 2008 - by CDS

Glow Graffiti

Spray paint that uses UV light instead of chemicals… sounds pretty cool. I’d like to see it i person. Here’s what Suck UK says:

“It’s the dead of night; everyone is tucked up in bed and the owls are-a-hooting. So it’s time to break out the Glow Graffiti! Powered with UV light you can write, stencil and draw rude pictures to create your very own glowing light show. It’s like very complicated vandalism except much prettier and you won’t get nicked by the police doing it. This really is a gadget of mind-boggling genius, perfect for parties (or if your nocturnal) and will have your friends intrigued for hours to how it all works. If we did tell you the super-top secret information to how it works we’d have to kill you.”

Link: Suck UK

Posted on November 18, 2008 - by CDS

“The End” Flickr Set

I thought this was a neat Flickr set. It’s a great example of how a typeface influences the entire feel of the imagery.

Source: Flickr

Posted on October 31, 2008 - by CDS

Tilt-Shift Photography

I’ve seen quite a bit of tilt-shift photography lately, or photos modified in photoshop to mimick the expensive tilt-shift lens effect. Essentially, by blurring out selected parts of a photograph, the focal area is made to look miniature. It’s pretty cool! Here are some samples from the Miniature Sunday Group. And here’s a tutorial to create a tilt-shift effect in photoshop, http://www.tiltshiftphotography.net/photoshop-tutorial.php.

Posted on October 24, 2008 - by CDS

Steampunk Goggles – Titanium Photochromatic Variable-Aperature Spectacles

Update: I thought I would post the actual maker of these goggles, too. The website is: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/6278166_YCdn5. There are a lot more photos and details at this site.

It’s entirely possible that Mike Brown overdosed on ADD meds: These brass goggles scream “attention to detail.
Some numbers: The leather is actually bolted to the eyepieces, using 48 tiny bolts plus another four for the nosepiece. The leather was chosen for the tanning process which should give it a klife of a few thousand years.

Ditto the eyepieces, which are machines from titanium and coated with Titanium Nitride. Predicted lifespan: 500 years plus. There are even brass eyelets in the leather eyecups to stop the lenses steaming up.

Mike put in a few nice extras, too. The sliders in each eyepiece close the leaf-apertures inside, which will cut out light and also sharpen your eyesight, just like a pinhole camera. The lenses themselves react to light and get darker the brighter it is.

 source: Wired Magazine Blog

Posted on October 9, 2008 - by CDS

The Unnatural Selector

 The craziest Steampunk Raygun every designed. Limited edition, created by New Zealand’s Weta Workshop. Definitely an interesting (and expensive) collectors item. Priced from $7900 to $4500.

 Source: Weta New Zealand

Posted on September 5, 2008 - by CDS

Eric Joyner “Artificial Enlightenment”

“Inspired by science fiction, toys, and Brandywine artists and illustrators of the 1900’s, Eric’s second solo with the gallery reveals the grittier side of robot life: mysterious donut factories, runaway steam trains and vintage motorcycles.”

Source: http://web.me.com/jancorey1/ERIC_JOYNER/Photos.html

Posted on August 30, 2008 - by CDS

Sea Urchins Sculptures made from Pencils

”

My sculptures were originally inspired by the form and function of the sea urchin. The spines of the urchin, so dangerous yet beautiful, serve as an explicit warning against contact. The alluring texture of the spines draws the touch in spite of the possible consequences. The tension unveiled, we feel push and pull, desire and repulsion. The sections of pencils present aspects of sharp and smooth for two very different textural and aesthetic experiences. Paradox and surprise are integral in my choice of materials. Quantities of industrially manufactured objects are used to create flexible forms reminiscent of the organic shapes of animals and nature. Pencils are common objects, here, these anonymous objects become the structure. There is true a fragility to the sometimes brutal aspect of the sculptures, vulnerability that is belied by the fearsome texture.”

 Source: Jennifer Maestre

Posted on August 30, 2008 - by CDS

Styrobots

Artist Michael A. Salter’s Styrobots are created from reclaimed styrofoam packaging. The bots range in size from a couple feet tall to the giant 22 foot bot on display at San Jose Museum of Art.

 Source: Michael A. Salter