Calabarte Art Lamps

My fetish for expensive and gorgeous lighting fixtures continues!

When I saw these amazing carved gourd lamps from Calabarte I literally stopped breathing for a few seconds as the word "WANT" echoed through my head.

Followed shortly by "MUST HAVE" and "DANG, THOSE ARE NOT CHEAP."

These lovelies are by Polish artist Przemek Krawczyński and each one is carved by hand.

Gourd Lamp by Calabarte

Gourd Lamp by Calabarte

Gourd Lamp by Calabarte

Gourd Lamp by Calabarte

Art Nouveau House in Los Angeles - the O'Neill House

I was stunned recently to discover this TREASURE right in my own back yard! Right here in Los Angeles, a piece of whimsical Art Nouveau architecture that could only have been built by someone brave enough to say "damn the neighbors, full speed ahead!"

I love that.

And bravo!  I may need to take a drive by sometime soon :)

I couldn't find too much info on the house other than this, from I am Not a Stalker.

"In 1978, an art dealer named Don O’Neill and his wife, Sandy, decided to remodel the guest home of their traditional residence in the Art Nouveau-style of Don’s favorite architect, Antoni Gaudi.  That guest house is pictured below and is actually the most famous portion of the property."

Art Nouveau O'Neill House - Los Angeles

Art Nouveau O'Neill House - Los Angeles

Art Nouveau O'Neill House - Los Angeles

Art Nouveau O'Neill House - Los Angeles

Art Nouveau O'Neill House - Los Angeles

Chimecco Interactive Chime by Mark Nixon

I was thinking the other day about content sharing and why I started this blog. There are so many amazing things out in the world that ingenious artists have created that aren't hanging on walls somewhere behind glass barriers or velvet ropes. 

Art that you can interact with, touch and listen to is so much more important. It becomes part of your life, part of your world. Remembered long after you've forgotten the piece of art you couldn't touch or interact with. 

Chimecco by architect/artist Mark Nixon is a perfect example - an interactive wind chime that can be played by walkers on the bridge above. Wind will also create sounds naturally (similar to the Aeolus Wind Pavilion.) 

Go make something today and change the world.....

Chimecco by Mark Nixon

Chimecco by Mark Nixon

Chimecco by Mark Nixon

Chimecco by Mark Nixon

Interactive Light Sculpture by WhiteVOID

Just because I cannot resist cool interactive installations involving light (and water.)

This one uses 12,000 ping pong balls, motion sensors, a pool of water, and high speed laser projectors.




FLUIDIC - Sculpture in Motion from WHITEvoid on Vimeo.

Fluidic by WhiteVOID

Fluidic by WhiteVOID

Art Photography from Yasmina Alaoui & Marco Guerra

Ah, do we have a treat for your eyes today. These lovelies are created by the team of Yasmina Alaoui & Marco Guerra. Marco shoots the nude models in black and white, then Yasmina overlays them with her stunning Arabic Henna patterns.

The results are breathtaking.

"Golden Veil" by Yasmina Alaoui & Marco Guerra

"Gold Mask" by Yasmina Alaoui & Marco Guerra

"Dream #1" by Yasmina Alaoui & Marco Guerra

"Dream #7" by Yasmina Alaoui & Marco Guerra

"Red #3" by Yasmina Alaoui & Marco Guerra

The Silent Evolution - an Underwater Art Installation by Jason deCaires Taylor

This is such a great idea - help rebuild coral reefs that human activity is destroying  AND create some groovy art. The symbolism of Jason deCaires Taylor's The Silent Evolution underwater sculpture installation is pretty obvious - people are why coral reefs are threatened and it is people who will rebuild them.

The first set of photos is from when the sculptures were first installed, over time you can see the figures attract corals and provide infrastructure to rebuild reefs.

Silent Evolution by Jason deCaires Taylor

Silent Evolution by Jason deCaires Taylor

Silent Evolution by Jason deCaires Taylor

Silent Evolution by Jason deCaires Taylor

Silent Evolution by Jason deCaires Taylor

Kinetic Wind Sculptures by Anthony Howe

Today it's all videos since we're talking about things that move in the wind (a perpetual favorite topic of mine!)

It was really hard to choose which pieces to feature first from artist Anthony Howe because they are all so phenomenal. Once again, I need 30 acres and a botanical garden so I can start a collection of this guy's work.....

Lovely, lovely stuff.