Saturday, March 24, 2012

The Enchanting Solar-powered Night Garden - OGE Creative Group

You know how sometimes when you're meandering around on the internets, you click on an image, then you click on another image, and next thing you've landed on something completely unexpected and wonderful?

That was how I got to The Enchanting Solar-powered Night Garden, which was built in Jerusalem by OGE Creative Group in 2006 for the "Light in Jerusalem Festival." The flowers are lit by LED's and collect solar power during the day to power them at night.

Some things need to be shared because they just rock.


The Enchanting Solar-powered Night Garden - OGE Creative Group

The Enchanting Solar-powered Night Garden - OGE Creative Group 

The Enchanting Solar-powered Night Garden - OGE Creative Group 

The Enchanting Solar-powered Night Garden - OGE Creative Group 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Wind Shape - nArchitects

We've danced merrily down the road of Art with PVC pipes before, so it's no surprise that this installation from nArchitects elicited an "oohh, ahhh" response from me.

The project being installed on the castle of the Marquis de Sade in Lacoste, France just makes it all the more intriguing.

Of course, with a name like Wind Shape, you will be unsurprised to find that Wind Shape shifted with the prevailing winds by design. The plastic pipes were woven together with string and by varying the tension on the strings, the whole structure rippled and changed shape in the breeze.

As soon as I figure out how to recreate this in my backyard, I'll post pictures :)

Wind Shape - nArchitects

Wind Shape - nArchitects

Wind Shape - nArchitects

Wind Shape - nArchitects

Wind Shape - nArchitects

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Light Rain by Troika

I just seriously love cool lighting - especially light as art. This installation by Troika  debuted at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.

The source of both, the sound and the droplets of light, are small engines suspended from the ceiling above - each carrying a simple lens, a motor and a LED that is moved rhythmically closer to and further away from the lens, hence projecting a drop of light down onto the floor that rhythmically grows and radiates outwards reminiscent of a rain drop hitting the ground. 
I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been to be able to walk underneath this as the droplets of light dribbled down around you onto the floor. Very, very cool!



Friday, March 16, 2012

Lello Bookshop - Portugal

Hey, it's Friday and time for pretty buildings. Outrageously pretty buildings. Outrageously pretty buildings will AMAZING staircases.  And books. So, pretty building plus amazing staircase plus books equals a +1 for me.

Behold the Lello Bookshop in Porto, Portugal. Famous worldwide as one of the most beautiful bookstores on the planet. Built in 1906 and home to a staircase that is full of awesome.

Oh, stained glass roof. Added bonus points. Website (in Portuguese, duh!)

Lello Bookshop - Portugal

Lello Bookshop - Portugal 

Lello Bookshop - Portugal 

Lello Bookshop - Portugal 

Lello Bookshop - Portugal 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Las Pozas - Edward James

Ah..50th post!

Our adventure today takes us deep into Mexico where poet and artist Edward James gifted us with the fruits of his eccentric imagination in the form of Las Pozas (the pools.)

I honestly can think of nothing that would be better than having 80 acres at my disposal and enough cash to just go wild with art and sculpture. If I ever hit the lottery, that's what I'm going to do with the money.

Many more wonderful pictures here at Kuriositas.

Las Pozas - Edward James, Designer

Las Pozas - Edward James, Designer 

Las Pozas - Edward James, Designer 

Las Pozas - Edward James, Designer 

Las Pozas - Edward James, Designer 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Textural Paper Art from Amy Genser

Paper art continues to be a theme! It's funny how sometimes you go down a creativity rabbit hole and suddenly a whole wonderland appears that hadn't ever known about. Artist Amy Genser uses rolls of paper to create these amazing textured canvas paintings. By combining an artistic idea with her love of water and flow, she created these works that suggest reefs and the "organic irregularity of plants, flowers, rock formations, barnacles, moss, and seaweed." 

Enjoy!

Organic Paper Art from Amy Genser

Organic Paper Art from Amy Genser

Organic Paper Art from Amy Genser

Organic Paper Art from Amy Genser

Organic Paper Art from Amy Genser

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Art Photography - Alexandre Deschaumes

I've been falling down on the job of blogging, haven't I?  Eye candy for today in the form of stunning art photography from French photographer Alexandre Deschaumes.

I love his eye for natural beauty and texture. Especially something as simple as water droplets on a leaf.

Art photography from Alexandre Deschaumes

Art photography from Alexandre Deschaumes

Art photography from Alexandre Deschaumes

Art photography from Alexandre Deschaumes