Category: sea

Dellamorte & Co.

July 24th, 2011

Dellamorte & Co. was recommended to me by a very kind reader.

Conjuring an archaic aesthetic and a sense of dark allure, Dellamorte & Co. draws inspiration from catacombs and tombs, mysticism and the realm of esoteric lore.

These items are hand sculpted, cast and painted with fantastic detail. It’s a high end, classy touch of darkness for the home.

Check out these candlesticks and bottle stoppers:

Tentacles!

Bones…with a twist…

Hand of Glory (if you don’t know the legend behind these, it’s rather interesting):

Earlier this year I actually did a search for “tombstone magnets” and these are better than anything I found.

Dellamorte & Co.
Deviantart gallery
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
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.
Michihiro Matsuoka

March 29th, 2011

Michihiro Matsuoka creates fantastic sculptures; biomechanical steampunk creatures who appear to be made of metal (but are actually clay, assorted objects and acrylic!).

Aren’t they adorable? I’d like a tank full of them that simulates an underwater scene.

See more on the artist 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…
Tiffany Bozic: Confiding to Strangers

December 7th, 2010

We are already halfway through Tiffany Bozic’s new exhibit, Confiding to Strangers. I’ve been a fan of her work for quite sometime, and it’s nice to see new pieces.

From the gallery website:

Spanning the gallery’s two exhibition areas, Confiding to Strangers features thirteen medium-sized works in acrylic on maple-wood panel and eighteen watercolor-on- paper works. All showcase Bozic’s meticulous, realist rendering of plant and animal subjects that recasts nature as fable.

I’ve always found these goldfish fascinating, though it’s sad to see one swimming around with a popped sac on the side of its face. But rest assured, painted Bubble Eyed Goldfish eye bladders never pop. And you can quote me on that.

(See my other post on Bubble Eyed Goldfish)

Another one of my favorite unique sea creatures!

(See my other post on Leafy Sea Dragons)

View images from the exhibit here.
The Four Seahorses of the Apocalyse

August 20th, 2010

Why do I like this shirt design? Is it the combination of apocalyptic themes and sea creatures? Most likely.

I would absolutely add these to my collection of odd toys if someone were to develop them as action figures. Possibly a future craft project for me. Hmmm…plush or sculpture?

Found on Woot!
Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone

August 17th, 2010

Neatorama has made me aware of a wonderful sea creature; another addition to the long list that fascinate me.

Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone!

This amazing creature (a type of polyp related to coral and jellyfish) closes around its prey with those spiky jaws…

How did I not know about this thing until now?