Archive for July, 2008

Tree News

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

That’s right, I’m updating you with contemporary arboreal information.

Now simmer down.

British artist Tim Knowles has drawn inspiration from nature, somewhat literally.

With implements attached to the tips of their limbs, the trees are left to make their mark (aided by the elements). The range of pictures he has gathered revealed distinct styles and signatures from each arboreal artist and some images are accompanied by looped videos which are strangely mesmerising.

www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/27/tree-drawings-arbor-interpretations-by-tim-knowles

Adaptive solar trees are on the way…  The first generation of solar tree street lights was introduced in Vienna last year in collaboration with the Museum of Applied Arts.

The designer Ross Lovegrove, has revealed that the second generation will feature adaptive branches which will: follow the sun to optimise absorption of solar energy, draw together in heaving winds for protection and even feature air purification bubbles to help mop up the city smog.

Excellent. 

Via inventorspot.com

Plastinkus

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

It’s nice when entirely unneccesary but fun things are cheap, because it makes that frivolous purchase a lot easier to justify. Under this reasonably priced mantle ($4ish), comes ‘Plastinkus’ a credit card sized scratch pad which supposedly delivers a realistic sound, for all those times where you’ve just gotta be the most annoying person in the room… 

Via http://www.etre.com/blog

Lego News Update

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

”What has occured in the world of Lego?” they roared maniacally

Well, it all started like this…

Via geekadelphia.com

The dedicated people at www.hklug.hk produced an epic olympic themed exhibition,

These guys have some nice necklaces www.myspace.com/lyrics4lyrics, (thanks for the link G)

On the music theme here’s some popular album covers recreated in lego,

http://www.thetoyzone.com/20-album-covers-recreated-in-lego

Now please, stop calling.

Japanese Soft Drinks

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

70% beer 30% milk.

I did a little sick.

http://inventorspot.com/articles/ten_even_more_weird_and_bizarre_japanese_soft_drinks_16328

Droste Effect

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Recent uploads from Josh Sommers flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshsommers/2703467400  add an even more sinister twist to his original Escherised image below… 

Also look at this latest addition to his Droste Effect set, http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshsommers/920662903/in/set-72157594405604955 he’s geting very good.

Tron2

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

We have been reliably informed that Jeff Bridges will once again be climbing onto his Light cycle for the eagerly anticipated Tron 2 (or Tr2n if you’re simpleton). Those at Comic Con ’08 (a couple of days ago) were treated to a specially made promo for the upcoming movie, leaked bootlegs are vanishing fast but a tantalisingly tiny vid can be seen at…

http://gizmodo.com/5029479/tron-2-trailer-video-makes-pants-wet-worldwide

you may need this synopsis from hellforleathermagazine.com

– We pan over ominous clouds into a digital city landscape only to find a man in a updated “Tron” costume. He’s on the run.
– The man jumps into a brand new 2008 version of the familiar light cycle.
– And a huge chase ensues with a pursuer in a dark mask after our racer. Unlike cycle races of old this one goes up and down AND side to side.
– The chased man is vanquished, crashing horrible. As the pursuer gets off his cycle he pulls a familiar disc from his back. The winner looks up to a previously unseen observer.
– And the observer is…Jeff Bridges! An older (and now evil) Flynn?!? He rises from a meditative state in his watchtower to see the pursuer do his bidding.
– The vanquished man pleads to his pursuer. “It’s just a game!” And then the final big reveal: the pursuer takes off his helmet and he is also Bridges, a seemingly younger Bridges!

Stained Glass

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

Excellent collection…

http://deputy-dog.com/2008/07/23/when-geeks-and-stained-glass-collide/

 

Lego News

Saturday, July 26th, 2008

”What has occurred in the world of lego?” they roared maniacally.

Well, this guy built a beetle, 

http://www.retrothing.com/2008/07/build-a-classic.html#more

How about a USB memory brick?

http://www.zipzip.net.au/products/

This chap built the Futurama set,

http://gizmodo.com/371253/lego-futurama-fan-set-makes-official-line-a-must

 This fully functional phone is nice,

http://www.likecool.com/Lego_Phone–Phone–Gear.html 

Gizmondo also featured an mesmerising tour of the production process…

http://gizmodo.com/5022769/exclusive-inside-the-lego-factory

 Happy Now?

 

Jethro Haynes

Friday, July 25th, 2008

Here’s some fascinating work by the gifted London based designer…

www.jethrohaynes.com

Juan Carlos Federico

Friday, July 25th, 2008

Here’s some brilliant constructions from the illustration portfolio of… http://www.juancarlosfederico.com.ar