The Art of Adam Neate

Trendland has some images of the work of London artist Adam Neate, who creates distinctive 3D style paintings. When he realized the charity shops he was donating his work to was throwing the paintings away, he started leaving them on the streets for people to take; thousands of them. I really like the influence of Francis Bacon.

Demolition of the Paris Metro

Sleep City has a wonderful journal and photo essay created by some young anonymous men who explore the abandoned and unknown areas of the Paris Metro system. It's dangerous and illegal, but they venture on revealing an underground world with some great photos.

CIA Flickr Set

Flickr has a set of images of CIA spy equipment. Fun to look at!

The Art of Ai Weiwei at the Tate Modern

The Guardian has a slideshow of the contemporary installation in the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern by artist Ai Weiwei. More than 100 million hand painted porcelain sunflower seeds create a thick carpet in the cavernous space. All the seeds were made in Jingdezhen China, and are meant to make a statement about globalization. Make sure to read the various reviews linked in the article.

The Art of Gregory Euclide

Gregory Euclide is an artist and high school teacher in Minnesota. He creates three dimensional paintings from paper, foams, and plastics, as well as some "invasive species from the midwest". These landscapes are oddly surreal as well as rich with detail and variety. He currently shows at the David B. Smith gallery.

Ecotourism in China

The Huffington Post has a wonderful photo essay, by journalist Derick Chang, of Jinbo Village in Sichuan province. This small idyllic village grows organic produce, creates beautiful traditional embroidery, and will host ecotourists in their farmhouses and share their ways of living.

Jealous Yet America?

Talking Points Memo has a slideshow of high speed rail systems throughout the world. The article is intended to shame Americans for being so far behind in this technology, but it's still fascinating to see the continuing development of these systems in other parts of the world. Some cool looking trains!

Lexus Driving Simulator

Gizmodo has posted a promotional video where Lexus shows off its' new state-of-the-art driving simulator in Higashifuji Japan. The simulator glides around on a football field sized track system, and the fully rotational pod with its' HD imaging system can give researchers and testers the sensation that they are actually driving a car.

The art of Randall Rosenthal

Odd Mods features some of the work of New York artist Randall Rosenthal who creates these super realistic sculptures of everyday objects. Like the piece above titled "lunch money", each of his works is carved out of a single block of wood, then painstakingly painted; even the box. Take a look at some of his other work.

Above Everything

Digital artist Alex Roman created this ad for Silestone kitchen manufacturers. The slow motion cascades of produce, the opening of an artichoke, the shattering crystal; it's all so beautiful! Wait a minute, it's not real? All of the imagery used in the ad is computer generated! Watch it again and you still won't believe it.

Be Linen Movie

This short film by director Benoit Millot is about the French linen industry. It follows from the growth of the flax, to the spinning and weaving, and finally to the garment makers. It's beautifully filmed and shows the love and admiration the French have for the noble fiber.

Black Pearl House

Weheart has posted images of the exquisite Black Pearl House and Workshop in Rotterdam South. The neglected 100 year old home was redesigned by Studio Rolf and Zecc Architects into something entirely unique. I especially love the way the facade has been altered to accommodate the new split level floor plan.

The Smoking Machine

Norwegian artist Kristoffer Myskja has created this machine that "smokes" a pack of cigarettes. Although completely useless, the mechanical engineering required to light a cigarette, smoke it, then drop the butt to the ground is ingenious!

The Art of Aurora Robson

Aurora Robson is a New York artist who uses everyday waste such as discarded plastic bottles and junk mail to make intricate sculptures, installations, and collages. Robson sees herself as an eco-activist and uses her art to address urgent issues poetically.

The Art of Claire Morgan

Art Pictures features some creative installations by London based artist Claire Morgan. Her painstakingly structured installations seem to float in space, and her choice of materials and motif is surely inspired by traditional still lifes. Only at the beginning of her career, she has already won several prestigious awards for her work.

Counter Space at MOMA

The Museum of Modern Art has a companion website to their current show "Counter Space: Design + the Modern Kitchen". The website is full of fascinating history, images, and video. Take some time to explore.

Bar Shimuraya by Noi Shegemasa

Muuuz has images of a bar in Osaka Japan designed by Noi Shegemasa. The Bar Shimuraya is a tiny minimalist space "dressed" in tangles pieces of natural wood, then lit perfectly. Absolutely stunning work!

Wish You Were a Supermodel?

This video of supermodel Kate Moss trying to leave LAX airport is truly shocking. The paparazzi descended upon her and her child and were terrifyingly relentless; even as Moss was escorted to her car by airport police. No one who wished to be famous deserves this. The video was a key piece of evidence that helped pass a California law banning such aggressive photography.

Hitting Rough Seas

The CCTV camera of the Pacific Sun cruise ship, meant to keep the bartender from stealing, captured some amazing video of the ship hitting some very rough seas. Chairs, tables, and people all begin sliding around with each wave. It looks scary and fun at the same time.

Out of The Strong

McChesney Architects has just completed their "intervention" in the atrium of the Angel Building in London. The title and form of the piece are both references to tinned treacle. It's an interesting sculpture/bench in an otherwise austere space.

Yunak Evleri Hotel

Inhabitat has a slideshow of Turkey's most incredible five star hotel. The Yunak Evleri Hotel is made from five converted 6th century cave dwellings, and a 19th century Greek mansion. Guests stay in ancient caves appointed with 18th century Ottoman antiques and all the modern conveniences. It's very expensive, but I'd like to stay there someday.

The Wood and Ceramic Furniture of Yoncho Cao and Kesem Yahav

Reflexdeco has a few images of some lovely furnishings made by cabinet maker Yoncho Cao and ceramicist Kesem Yahav; both based in Amsterdam. They've designed some beautiful contemporary peices.

Inside the San Francisco U.S. Mint

Haighteration, a blog about the Lower Haight district of San Francisco, was granted access to the U.S. Mint building which is usually closed to the public. It's a wonderful article with some nice images of the interior. No photos of the minting equipment though.

SFMTA Replacing Muni Tracks

Ken Murphy set up a time-lapse camera in the window of his Church and 30th Streets apartment, and captured workers of the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority replacing tracks for MUNI commuter trains. He's condensed three and a half days of work into about twelve fascinating minutes. It's really worth watching all the way through. I've watched it twice.

Stairway to Heaven

i09 has this amazing video of an engineer with a helmet mounted camera free climbing a radio tower that's over 1,700 feet tall. It's scary, but fascinating to watch. (not for those with acrophobia!)

1950's Housewife takes LSD

After reading Aldous Huxley's mescaline inspired book 'The Doors of Perception', researcher Dr. Sidney Cohen began testing LSD as a potential mental health treatment. This woman was one of the many volunteers he dosed at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Los Angeles. I especially like that she's interviewed in a "normal" state, then filmed as she tries to describe her experience. Weirdly charming in a way.

My Little Piece of Privacy

Niklas Roy's office window looks out onto a busy sidewalk. He wanted privacy but didn't want to lose his window view. With a surveillance camera, an old laptop, and some servo motors he created a "smart" curtain that detects passersby, and moves the small curtain panel to block their view into the office. Because it's so quirky, it actually attracts MORE attention to his office window. It's pretty cute.

Woman Destroys Her Mercedes

While watching this, one has to wonder "what is this woman thinking?" After rear ending another car, she tries to make her getaway, only to become snagged by the bollard she's run over. She keeps trying though, and causes a lot of damage. Ineptitude is funny!