Category: creatures

Ernst Haeckel

May 19th, 2011

Every now and then I have to sit back and re-marvel at Ernst Haeckel’s work.

Even the first part of his brief Wiki biography is mind-blowing: biologist, naturalist, philosopher, physician, professor and artist who discovered, described and named thousands of new species, mapped a genealogical tree relating all life forms, and coined many terms in biology, including anthropogeny, ecology, phylum, phylogeny, and the kingdom Protista.

(Apologies to anyone who thought they were having a productive day and just got knocked down a few pegs)

I don’t think I could ever look at the staggering beauty with which he depicts the natural world and not be utterly awestruck.

Nature itself is perhaps the greatest artist, but it takes a phenomenally talented human being to represent it with such masterful technique.

I was actually stunned to recently discover that I don’t have any books of Haeckel’s work. Any recommendations? I’d also like to seek out a few choice prints.
Sandra Arteaga: Axolotl

April 21st, 2011

I’ve already posted about Sandra Arteaga’s fabulous dolls, but I must post one of her recent creations.

Two years ago I raved about the Mexican Axolotl (and even made a plushie axolotl for a blog contest winner). Now this bizarre, sweet little creature finds some representation in Ms. Arteaga’s work!

Not exactly sweet…but so strange and intriguing, I can’t look away…

Source
Le Cochon Danseur

April 10th, 2011

When I first saw this pig on the stage, I did not think he’d have such sweet moves in store.

Source
X-Ray Photography

April 8th, 2011

Today I bring you a double feature of X-ray photography.

First, Leslie Wright:

See more sea life, plants, creatures and bits of technology on her site.

Next, the work of Nick Veasey:

Man, machine, flora, fauna, toys and miscellanious objects…

See more on his site.
Alexander Semenov: Underwater Experiments

March 28th, 2011

It’s been a while since I’ve posted some stunning sea creatures, so I bring you this amazing photo set by Alexander Semenov.

See the rest of the gallery here.
Science is Fiction

January 29th, 2011

I have kept Science is Fiction at home from Netflix for the past week. I can’t bring myself to let go of it.

Science is Fiction is a mesmerizing collection of short films by Jean Painleve.

Painleve, a film director, actor, translator, theorist and inventor, was one of the first to create scientific films designed to entertain and inform. His groundbreaking poetic representations of science were viewed as subversive and scandalous at the time. He believed that the portrayal of reality, combined with the imagination and technique of the screenwriter, trumped traditional cinematography.

In order to shoot scenes underwater, Painleve encased his camera in a custom designed waterproof box, fitted with a glass plate which allowed the camera’s lens to reach through. He captures some incredible footage and documents a stunning series of processes shown in accelerated speed. The soundtrack (which he often scored himself) is also amazing. Watching these films is an entrancing, educational journey…not to mention, just plain FUN.

My fellow sci-art fans…rent or buy this collection! I rarely buy DVDs, but this one is going on the wish list. Now I’m off to see if I can uncover any of Painleve’s other films on Youtube…
New World Transparent Specimens

January 3rd, 2011

Japanese artist Iori Tomita creates stunning aquatic specimens.

As an undergraduate student majoring in fisheries, Tomita learned the process of creating transparent specimens by means of dissolving the creature’s natural proteins (in order to get a better look at intricate bone structures). The process of rendering the anatomy translucent and injecting dye can take four to six months.

Here were have the architecture of nature and the artistry of man, beautifully paired…

In my opinion these specimens would be a wonderful educational tool as well.

See more here.
Halloween Countdown: Desktop Treat Bag Vol. 2

October 23rd, 2010

It’s almost time for me to leave town, so…cleaning off the desktop to make room for the hundreds of things that will undoubtedly accrue by the time I return.

I’ve never thought to do a pumpkin like this, but it looks great:

An antique bat sketch. Simple. Classy.

And as package design…

And…wrapped in pink…

Continuing with the results of my antique search (though this can be horrifying for multiple holidays):

Witch illustration:

I’d like to construct a replica of this game, because I doubt I’ll ever be able to find it:

Hot…

This horrid, HORRID thing came up in a search for “antique Halloween.” Most people who know me are aware that I have a general aversion to the human foot. A creation like this is entirely uncalled for. But I suppose this “lantern” qualifies as something I consider frightening.

Pardon me while I wash my eyes with bleach.

Let’s end on a romantic note, shall we?
Halloween Countdown: Bats, Bones, Claws and Pumpkin Road Rage

October 7th, 2010

Okay, here are two totally unrelated things I just came across. If you really use your imagination, they fit right into the Halloween Countdown.

First, look at this fruit bat. Check out that tubular nose! This guy is a cut above your generic Halloween bat in terms of personality. I’m constantly tempted to imitate how (my twisted brain believes) he talks:

Next, the anatomically correct Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Jason Freeny.

On the flip side, we have this extremely INCORRECT rendition of pumpkin anatomy, featured on The Surfing Pizza. This toy was placed in the perfect category of “Not Really Evil, But Kind of a Jerk.”

Never thought you’d get to see a rubber, rabbit-faced, four-limbed, lanky, pumpkin-headed creature, riding upright on a bike with more than a healthy dose of road rage despite the gigantic lollipop on board? VIOLA! Thanks, Pizza!

Now, the Claws Will Tear Us Apart shirt. A favorite animal, a favorite album, a clever image:
Desktop Goodies

August 21st, 2010

The image above…perhaps designed to be mildly unsettling…is nowhere NEAR as unsettling as this (originally un-ironic) piece of Thrift Horror:

Quite possibly my favorite comic panel of the month:

Now onto a little anatomy…

Nice legs…

If I had the proverbial “thinking cap,” I might want it to look a bit like this:

And speaking of thinking…perhaps “brain bats” are a great descriptive metaphor for certain mental states.

In my humble opinion, “vacation hair” may be among the least of his problems.

Fish heads, fish heads…

That photo reminds me of this extremely surreal video:

And now to cater to my love of flying squirrels (can anyone really be unmoved by this degree of sweet awesomeness?)…

This post brought to you by meat.