SheWalksSoftly

Traveling Sound Museum

July 24th, 2009

I’ve been meaning to post a few projects from ITP grad students since the ITP Spring Show in May.

What a fantastic concept by Mike Rosenthal:

“Imagine that you could listen to any sound, from any place, from any TIME, in the history of the world. That the sonic history of our planet did not start with the wax cylinder in the 1870’s, but that man has been able to capture sounds in jars as though they were fireflies since the 7th century?”

This is the premise of Rosenthal’s Traveling Sound Museum. He gives life to the concept by recounting a rich history and describing the origin of each sound captured in his collection of jars (carried on a vintage cart).

Each jar is a beautifully convincing “antique” that indeed transports the listener to a different time and place.

In a time when people are rushing to make every gadget smaller, more streamlined, sleek and shiny, it’s heartwarming to see a dose of good old fashioned magic in a multimedia project.

See more on the website.
HRP-4C Bridal Droid

July 23rd, 2009

You all know I love robots. But this bridal droid unnerves me.

It’s easy to create a 2-D fantasy nowadays, even edit film or produce 3-D moving images of perfection. But when we get our hands on tactile materials and attempt to construct an interactive fantasy…something goes terribly wrong.

I’m disturbed by the look on this robot bride’s face. If anything could prove that robot sentience exists, it’s THIS expression (which I interpret as “assaulted”). I dare say it’s a grim foreshadowing for this poor bot, if she ends up in the hands of a feisty fetishist.

Solidifying the creepiness is this runway clip, complete with Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” (hardly a traditional selection for either fashion OR matrimony).

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Pulp Sci-Fi Treats

July 23rd, 2009

As much as I love io9, I must admit that I went through this post like a child skipping text to look at pretty pictures in a book. The post itself may be helpful for those looking to write an epic space novel. The rest of us can just sit back and enjoy this spectacular sci-fi pulp art:

As a connoisseur of retro sci-fi pulp images, these are among my favorites that I’ve come across in a while.
Indoor Camping

July 22nd, 2009

When I was a child, I used to build elaborate forts and tents in my house. I’d use anything; furniture, boxes, blankets, household objects, intricate string setups for hanging cloth. Then those beloved ephemeral worlds would be destroyed.

Here’s a favorite indoor camping photo (sadly, not my own). I can’t tell what I love more: the library itself, the setup, or the particular combination of the two.

Over the last few years, I’ve had an odd urge to “camp out” in the large open space of my window-filled living room during a thunderstorm.

Brian, thanks for reminding me of yet another absurd goal!

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Cassette Tape Lamps

July 22nd, 2009

Uh oh, I feel a craft project coming on! I’m sure my wonderful housemate will be on board for this one since we are both media freaks (who probably have thousands of old tapes collectively).

Ooo My Design featured these fantastic cassette lamps:

Not only do I love the idea of recycling old media that had meaning for me, but the lighting effect is gorgeous. I definitely have to make one…or many.

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Blogger’s Ethical Dilemma

July 21st, 2009

I need public opinion on an issue I’ve been toying with for a while. Over the years I’ve collected thousands of wonderfully entertaining images I’d love to share. The problem? I can’t cite sources, and often can’t credit an artist (though I’d be thrilled if anyone recognized the images so I could add proper credit).

I was thinking of having one post a week where I compile a few of these random images. Is this “wrong?” Would you guys be opposed to it for ethical reasons? Please click one…

Thanks!
Slice O’ Lenin

July 21st, 2009

What better way to commemorate leaders of the past than turning a likeness of their corpse into a giant cake?

To mark the 136th anniversary of V.I. Lenin’s birth (odd number to celebrate, no?), artist Yuri Shabelnikov created this life-sized cake in the late nineties.

I love the expressions on the children. The head section was saved for VIPs, naturally.

Source (of course)
Modern Warning Signs

July 20th, 2009

What a great flickr set of “modern warning signs.”

Favorites for potential T-shirt design:

See the set here, from flickr user arenamontanus.
Big Tasty

July 20th, 2009

Now that I’m out West, I’ve been scanning the gallery websites (and discovering there are far too many things I want to see for one short trip!). I found myself chuckling out loud while viewing Big Tasty’s selections now on display at Hyaena.

Meat creations and slightly deranged animals abound!

This makes me laugh:

Overall, this is some really entertaining and just plain FUN lowbrow art.

See the exhibit here…and many more pieces here.
Bandage Rug

July 18th, 2009

Why must my love of medicine be so inextricably linked to my sense of humor and absurdity? Who knows, perhaps medicine needs a bit more personality to counter the typically dehumanizing effects.

This Bandage Rug would make an excellent doormat in a pediatrician’s office.

My only gripe is that they should have made the design using the “Ultrastrip” Band-Aid model, for more floor coverage.

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