SheWalksSoftly

Kris Kuksi

December 11th, 2008

I have to attempt a trip to the Joshua Liner Gallery before December 20th to see Kris Kuksi’s new solo exhibition.

Pardon me as I get lost in these sculptures for a few hours…

On his website, Kuksi describes his work:

I get inspired by the industrial world, all the rigidity of machinery, the network of pipes, wires, refineries, etc. Then I join that with an opposite of flowing graceful, harmonious, and pleasing design of the Baroque and Rococo. And of course I add a bit weirdness and the macabre.

I did wonder about his materials, and was glad to see him cover the subject:

Sculptural works are wonderfully intricate constructions of pop culture effluvia like plastic model kits, injection molded toys, dolls, plastic skulls, knick-knack figurines, miniature fencing, toy animals, mechanical parts and ornate frames or furniture parts; assembled into grotesque tableaux that look a bit like an explosion in Hieronymus Bosch’s attic.

He also has some very fine acrylic works:

And I’ve always been a huge fan of Church Tank:

Kuksi is truly a talented individual with a wide artistic scope. Check out his site for more.
Chocolate Meditation

December 10th, 2008

This idea behind this CD nearly makes me hyperventilate. Mind-body techniques and chocolate, two of my most beloved things combined in Chocolate Meditation.

I have not voluntarily gone a single day without chocolate since I was a child, and I take such pleasure in food that I certainly view it as a meditative experience.

And now…

A seasoned and certified clinical hypnotist, as well as an expert in metaphysics and parapsychology, Julie Dittmar uses healing frequencies in every syllable she utters for the amazing The Chocolate Meditation. This is a sweet gift idea that mixes soothing hypnotherapy with chocolate, the holistic mixing of two great relaxations that taste great together.

My only hesitation in buying this CD is that I’d never leave the house. I’d just revel in sweet, chocolate transcendence all day. Dare I?
Mad Scientist Alphabet Blocks

December 10th, 2008

Where were these when I was a precocious little toddler? I would have loved a set of laser etched Young Mad Scientist Alphabet Blocks!

Letters and corresponding images cover essential mad scientist lingo such as

A – Appendages
B – Bioengineering
C – Caffeine
D – Dirigible
E – Experiment
F – Freeze ray
G – Goggles
H – Henchmen
(the rest here)

Ah, these make me nostalgic for my youth. Remind me to tell you about the time I discovered there was no Santa Claus…by use of forensic evidence.
Owl Tattoos

December 9th, 2008

Sometimes I randomly search for owl images, simply because I love them so much. I discovered a blog devoted entirely to owl tattoos.

The owl is one of my favorite creatures on earth (a recurring image in the things I make, buy and enjoy looking at). It possesses a rich symbolism, and I can appreciate that people have chosen to decorate themselves with such a worthy totem.

You’ll find some of the most bizarre chimera’s imaginable on the site (like the robot owl below)

The artistic scope and variation is amazing, ranging from the most basic patterns to the most detailed “sleeves.”

And then there are some that you’ll probably wish you could un-see.

If you share my love of these feathered friends, have a look.
Peskimo Monster

December 9th, 2008

Bodily function references are rare on this blog, but Peskimo’s Monster Burp toy is just so cool.

I’ve never seen a figure in which an anthropomorphic bubble of air serves as the focal point of the toy…rather than the creature who is emitting the air. Love the concept!

Bet that little burping fella feels a lot better now.

Found through Vinyl Pulse
Ice Cream Socks

December 8th, 2008

I can’t help it. These socks put me in a good mood. They are exactly the kind of thing that I occasionally like to have peering out from my otherwise dark, muted-color wardrobe.

For some strange reason, they seem even more appealing in the winter.

Available from Sock Dreams
Outrageous Architecture Week: Paper

December 8th, 2008

Oops…I thought I had posted this yesterday. I wanted to finish up the week by showing something that is not traditional brick and mortar, but nonetheless indicative of outstanding architectural skill.

Ingrid Siliakus was inspired by Masahiro Chatani and began creating her own paper sculptures in the 1980’s.

She has done international buildings, inspired by actual structures.

Some are “abstract” buildings:

Others involve reflection:

Ingrid states that working with this art form has given her personal means of expressing. Her designing skills have grown over the years. Her specialties are buildings of master architects and intricate abstract sculptures. Her source of inspiration by these abstract sculptures are works of artists like M.C. Escher. –Source

Well this certainly trumps my childhood pop up books:

Have a look at her galleries.

Many beautiful sculptures in her flickr sets as well.
Outrageous Architecture Week: Antti Lovag

December 7th, 2008

Antti Lovag re-evaluated his viewpoint on architecture after his health began to suffer and he experienced a heart attack.

Lovag’s mortality instilled a feeling of (and desire for) complete freedom. Rebelling against the structures of traditional architecture, he “began experimenting with frameworks that could be bent and changed and with techniques of concrete surfacing. That way, forms could move again.”

This is not simply a “bubble house,” but an incorporation of form, function and nature. He utilizes mineral, vegetable, water, image, sound, light and view (which he describes) for a habitat that feels truly organic.

Yes, this is architecture with a complex and detailed philosophy.

And I love how, from certain angles, it looks like the hillside is afflicted with blistering pox (or perhaps some sort of giant alien tentacle).
Scrabble Tombstone

December 7th, 2008

In a completely creative and non-morbid fashion, sometimes I ponder what my own tombstone/urn/etc. might look like. For someone who enjoys design and symbolism as much as I do, it’s an inevitable contemplation.

I’m a big fan of this Scrabble tombstone.

In addition to being a beautiful concept, this is a very well made monument (I’m slightly confused by the inclusion of the word “foot,” but I’m sure it’s personal).

If you’ve actually conceptualized your own tombstone, do share what you’ve come up with.
Outrageous Architecture Week: Churches

December 6th, 2008

Although I am not a churchgoer, I’m a big fan of interesting church architecture (and there is a lot of it out there).

For example, The Hallgrímskirkja Church in Iceland:

At first I couldn’t quite remember what it reminded me of…then I realized it was the Ivory Tower in The Neverending Story:

The Ružica Church is a small chapel in Serbia decorated with spent bullet casing, swords, and cannon parts:

The church occupies space used by the Turks as gunpowder storage for over 100 years and it had to be largely rebuilt in 1920 after WWI. While fighting alongside England and the US, Serbian soldiers on the Thessaloniki front took the time to put together these amazing chandeliers.

I’ll follow that with St. Joseph the Betrothed Greek-Catholic church, which to me resembles giant bullets:

Built in 1956, it is most known for its ultra-modern thirteen gold domed roof symbolizing the twelve apostles and Jesus Christ as the largest center dome.

The Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida in the capital of Brazil is an expression of the architect Oscar Niemeyer.

I’d love to sit in this church, if for no other reason than the feeling that I might…at any given moment…be sucked through the ceiling into some kind of heavenly vortex.

Yes, yes, we’ve all seen Russia’s St. Basil’s Cathedral, but let’s give credit where credit is due. It’s really a stunning structure:

I couldn’t possibly cover a decent sample of the interesting churches out there, but if one stands out in your mind I’d love to see a link to it.

Thanks so much to Odee for these wonderful examples (find more over there).