SheWalksSoftly

Kakurenbo: Hide and Seek

August 22nd, 2008

I’ll preface this post by saying that I am *very* picky about anime. But I thank Artie (and Netflix Instant Queue) for bringing my attention to “Kakurenbo.” The film is based on a game of hide and seek that children play near the ruins of an abandoned city…with the persistent threat of being captured by demons.

I view Kakurenbo as a fantastic portrayal of a vivid nightmare. There is no back story, no developed plot…simply a game that embodies the terror of the chase, and culminates in a chilling twist with the seamless blending of innocence and evil.

Definitely worth the 20 minutes! Stick with it for the ending.
Singing Pickles: A Birthday Tribute

August 22nd, 2008

Today is the day that Ronnie, my lifelong Soul Friend, was born.

His favorite food is pickles. I planned to post the following image as if these little fellows were singing the Happy Birthday song:

And then it happened.

I did a google search for “singing pickle” and journeyed through an unexpected exhibit of how others have employed this concept. Turns out, there is an Electronic Yodeling Pickle, and even multiple online tutorials to draw singing pickles (we’ve all wanted to know).

Then there is the “fun alternative for kids in the schools,” The Pickle Sickle. And what I like to call Olde Time Love Pickles.

Do you have seven minutes? Then follow an irritating six year old boy and a melodramatic expatriate pickle named Polski on their journey to El Gorkia where Polski hopes to be reunited with his beloved pickle parents. They fly in a “hot sauce powered wok,” battle menacing seagulls and Bratwurst bullies (one gets stripped of his casing and gets his “nakedness” censored with a black bar).

Can you stand NOT knowing how it all turns out???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RONNIE!
Wim Delvoye

August 21st, 2008

I was *beyond* excited to view Wim Delvoye’s collection of Gothic anatomical stained glass windows. I have had so many x-rays and scans over the years that I am, most likely, radioactive by now. I always wished to keep my x-ray prints for various art pieces. It’s thrilling to see bones and organs immortalized in this classic fashion.

Click images for better view…

There is romance:

And INTESTINES!

The genius carries over into laser cut steel construction devices:

And a wood carved cement truck:

I can’t link to individual galleries (flash site, perhaps), but they are all worth a look.
Sweet Wishes

August 21st, 2008

Here is a video collaboration from the absolutely unparalleled Mark Ryden (whose brilliance could inspire and fill an entirely separate blog) and the talented Marion Peck. The poor production just amps up the vintage charm.

Come for the sparkling tapestry of sweets…stay for the teddy bear vomit.
Meatscapes and Machine-Animals

August 20th, 2008

On the tail of my last post, it feels appropriate to post about Nicholas Lampert who created a lovely series of retro inspired “Meatscapes.”

In the series (which would make a dynamite postcard collection), slabs of meat quite conspicuously take the place of natural land formations.

If you visit his site, don’t forget to check out the wonderful hybrids in the Machine Animals section.
Cafeteria Nightmares

August 20th, 2008

In retrospect, I was lucky to have some fairly decent school food as a child. Unlike the poor kids in Harrisonburg, VA, who must deal with extremely questionable color, texture, nutritional value…and spelling…as they strive to become America’s bright future.

Let the image sink in:

Chicken “Fryz,” regular fries, a lard-filed biscuit, and chocolate milk. A complete and balanced meal…if “balanced” means all your favorite saturated fats on one tray.

Don’t get me wrong. I adore fried food (I think I’d willingly bear the gastrointestinal disturbance to try the Cheeseburger Macaroni).

But I could never hope to pack an artery like the school lunches sited on Holy Taco and live to tell about it (I love the food descriptions, too).
Alien Chess Set

August 19th, 2008

This Alien Movies Chess Board is one step away from being the coolest thing ever.

Clearly, Predator should have been involved. They already make the action figures.

Say what you will about the movie franchise (the second one was atrocious, but I unapologetically enjoyed the first AvP). Bottom line: THESE are awesome adversaries, and two of the genres greatest creations deserve to be battling it out on a chess board.
“Special Cake”

August 19th, 2008

…an understatement, indeed! Pointy, edible Puffer Fish, bathed in ominous florescent light.

I saw these gorgeous monstrosities on Cake Wrecks, which is easily one of the most entertaining blogs on my list.
Natalie Shau

August 19th, 2008

Words fail me…and that’s rare.

Natalie Shau’s exquisitely macabre art pieces leave me speechless, wishing I could weave together words that do her justice. But I can only stare and marvel.

I highly recommend her work to anyone who enjoys haunting eye candy.
Remote Control Light Boxes

August 18th, 2008

This is the kind of gratuitous geekery I’d love to display in my home, if I had the proper space to showcase them:

The main drawback of being an avid crafter, collector and book nerd is the nearly unmanageable shortage of open table/counter/shelf space. So I’ll sit back and admire these light boxes from afar.

Via designzen