Otamatone

Japanese toy company CUBE Works and a collaborative group that specializes in nonsense machines, have invented an instrument that looks like a musical note with a face. The electronic instrument is played by choosing notes along the stem, much like a guitar, then giving the note voice and color my manipulating the mouth. If this comes to the US, I want one!

Pigeon: Impossible

This is a delightful animated short by Martell Animation. What do you do when a pigeon gets trapped inside your multi-million dollar, government-issued nuclear briefcase? Watch and see.

The art of Ninja182

Format Mag has images of the amazing graffiti art of an artist known as Ninja182. These large graphics are actually perspective illusions that can only be seen whole from one vantage point. They are perfectly executed and I like the DJ themes.

Solar Panel Roof Tiles

Trends Now has photos of a proposal by the American Energy Society. The idea is to produce solar panels in the shapes of roof tiles, which not only provides a more aesthetically pleasing installation, but also increases the surface area thereby capturing more energy. The blue color works well with Mediterranean style homes, which in Las Vegas, could mean all homes might be powered this way.

My Favorite 12 Inch Records Exhibition in Gunma

Design Related has some images of an exhibition created by Maniackers Design, in Gunma Japan. Not very interesting in itself, but I'm posting it because it reminds me of my teenage bedroom, where I had my record collection displayed the same way; some of you will remember.

One Man's Trash

The New York Times has a wonderful article about builder Dan Phillips who builds low income homes using 80 percent salvaged materials; the ceiling you see above is made of old framing shop samples. Phillips is an amazing artist and person. I would love to work with him!

Eye Candy

Here's another web toy that is a virtual kaleidoscope. The constantly moving and pulsating visuals can be modified by adjusting the sliders at the top left of the screen.

Sacramento State Jazz Singers

Here are the Sacramento State Jazz Singers performing "Selfless, Cold, and Composed" by contemporary songwriter Ben Folds. It's a wonderful a cappella arrangement of the song.

Production of "Siegfried"

This is a sample video of a production of "Siegfried", presented at the Ciudad de las Diencias y Artes in Valencia Spain. The production utilizes 14 simultaneously synced projectors to create stunning effects. I'm sure it was a mind blowing show!

The art of Al Farrow

Al Farrow is a Bay Area artist who has been sculpting for 40 years. His "Reliquaries" are small architectural models and worship objects made from weapons and ammunition. They are eerily beautiful.

Incredibox!

Incredibox is a silly, but fun, little web toy created by a French designer. You simply drag icons, representing different instruments, voices, etc, to the "singers" and they perform your composition. "Bonus" fills can be used to create bridges in you tune. Lots of fun!

Victoria and Albert Museum Searchable Database

The Victoria and Albert Museum has put the details of one million objects online for your research and viewing pleasure. Relevant information is given with each object including whether it is currently on display, and where in the museum it can be found.

Simon's Cat: Hot Spot

Another delightful short animation featuring the irrepressible, and true to life, behavior of Simon's cat.

The Cat Piano

This is a great short animated film by The People's Republic of Animation. It's narrated by Nick Cave. Worth watching!

Nonsensical Info-graphics

Artist Chad Hagen has created a lovely set of info-graphics that convey no information whatsoever. They look as though they should, but the carefully designed arrangements of graphs, etc. actually have no meaning.

Contemporary Art at Chateau de Versailles

Otto has some interesting images of the work of artist Xavier Veilhan that has been on display at Versailles France. The opulent palace makes for an interesting background to the angular and modern designs of Veilhan. I really like the horse drawn carriage.

This is Not a Room

Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi constructs temporary environments in the most unusual places. The structure you see above, contains a space one can visit, which itself is a strange juxtaposition of architectural understanding. The finial of the spire, intersects the room and becomes a coffee table sculpture. Really interesting!

Pop-up Calendar

Artist Johann Volkmer has applied architectural and info-graphic methods to create a wild pop-up calendar. Each month is a separate folder, that when opened, reveals a unique, though sometimes incomprehensible, arrangement of weeks and days.

It's a Fridge!

Gro Design and Samsung have designed this beautiful concept refrigerator they call the Bi-axis. Becoming more a piece of furniture, than an appliance, the fridge can be configured in a standard vertical format, or arranged sideways like a sideboard. A well needed update to the usual clunky form factor.

Arne Quinze for the new L'Eclaireur in Paris

Yatzer has images of a new store in Paris that is all the rage because of its' store design. Artist Arne Quinze created this original environment using wood and cardboard scraps, and lots of silver spray paint. I'm not sure what to think...

Heavens Above Fireworks

Heavens Above Fireworks wants you to go out with a bang! The unique company makes custom fireworks, which include the cremated remains of a loved one, then they put on a spectacular show as a memorial. They see it as a fitting and happier way to say goodbye. I agree.

Primordial Soup with Julia Child

Want the recipe for making the building blocks of life? Julia Child made this video in 1976 for the Smithsonian National Air and space Museum, in which she explains how basic elements can produce amino acids.

LAPP - Light Art Performance Photography

LAPP is a long exposure photography technique produced by German artists Joerg Miedza and JanLeonard Woellert. Using various lenses and moving light sources, they have created some remarkable images.