SheWalksSoftly

Watarou Itou

July 5th, 2009

I’ve seen in it posted in more than one place, so my “don’t regurgitate” instincts perked up. But this installation is just so darn gorgeous that I can’t help posting it. I look at a lot of paper craft, and this may be the finest castle I’ve ever seen.

Watarou Itou is a young Tokyo art student who clearly has a bright future in the art world! The installation is entitled Umi no Ue no Oshiro (A Castle On the Ocean).

It took over four years for Itou to complete the project. It is intricately electrically wired for a variety of lighting options (it also features a ferris wheel and train).

More large images at the Source. The different angles and lighting schemes are really worth a look.
Fireworks by PES

July 4th, 2009

I’ve already posted a video from the talented PES, and now I give you a short but wonderful holiday treat. 33 seconds that make me wish everything were made of candy.
Vanity Tidy Bowl

July 3rd, 2009

I find this creation by Laurent Massaloux to be rather enchanting.

The ‘Vanity Tidy’ bowl [was designed] on the theme of the vanities of life: time, wealth and ownership. The form was captured from the web, digitally manipulated, and then transmitted to a rapid prototyping program where it was formed three dimensionally by laser fusion in polyamide powder. ‘Vanity Tidy’ is composed of seven human skull structures placed in a circular mode.

The lotus design that appears when viewing the piece from above is my absolute favorite part of the bowl. I have a particular appreciation for lotus flowers due to their rich symbolism. Fusing a lotus image with human skulls is a statement I could probably spend way too long happily and poetically pondering.

Artist site

Source
Brooke Kent

July 3rd, 2009

Brooke Kent came to my attention due to the buzz about her Wildflower Skull Series (available on Etsy). They are miniature 3.75″ X 5″ paintings, framed in intricate black resin. Quite adorable…

I would love an even smaller version of these to wear as pendants.

I went to her site and found that she has some wonderful paintings. A few favorites:

LA Apocalypse

Behind the delicate formality of presentation, something sinister thrives…

Silently Waiting

Procession of Nuns

Artist site

Source
If Ruptured…

July 2nd, 2009

This vintage ad is sure to spark at least mild confusion, at least for people of my generation. I admit to having no clue what the “air-breathing, flesh-soft” substance actually is.

Ideas?

Source
Brain Cell Regeneration

July 2nd, 2009

Just a single image from plainme’s deviantart portfolio that I particularly enjoy.

Brain Cell Regeneration:

That is all.
Vintage Mighty Mouse

July 1st, 2009

The ever-entertaining John K posted this awesome vintage Mighty Mouse toy.

It has an off-kilter intensity that I find pretty delightful. I could never be certain if this thing were out to “save the day”…or murder me in my sleep without remorse.

Don’t you love his sparse, wind-swept eyelashes? And here’s my favorite part: the tag reading “AN IDEAL ULTRAFINE ANIMAL” (conspicuously dangling over his disturbingly defined mouse crotch).

I can always count on John K’s blog!

Note: for some reason I accidentally wrote down “Mickey Mouse” instead of “Mighty Mouse” despite the fact that I knew it was the latter…has Disney seeped that far into my subconscious??? Thanks to those who pointed this out!
Antique Dental Model

July 1st, 2009

I came across this model on Phisick, a wonderful medical antique site.

Isn’t it wonderful? Rather like H.R. Giger designed a dental device.

A well fashioned French antique dental model by Vecabé. The full set of teeth are made from enamel and would have been painstakingly crafted and fired individually. Each one is secured to the mandible with brass pin and can be removed. They fit together perfectly to form an anatomically correct bite. The heavy metal block opens through 180 degrees to allow detailed inspection.

Source (with more photos)
Alessandro Maffioletti

June 30th, 2009

Given the rising popularity of all things steampunk, I’m pretty sure Alessandro Maffioletti’s vintage imagery collages are going to go viral on the Web.

They really are quite lovely surreal constructions.

Get your fill of gears, instruments, creatures and technology of days gone by, spliced together in odd harmony here.
Out of This World Hotties

June 30th, 2009

Well, there’s a title that may disappoint some eager google searchers. It refers to these hand warmers:

My hands are perpetually ice cold, and although this is not the most practical design in terms of shape, I think they’re pretty cute.

Source