Naomi Kizhner has designed a parasitic series of jewelry. These creatures of metal and glass (in theory) feed off the energy of those who wear them via pincers that reach through the body into the spine where they draw upon electrical nerve conductivity.
The line will not be going into actual production (I’d say this is fairly obvious, but one never knows in this society. Most of us already encounter plenty of welcome parasitism from mass produced objects).
I was instantly drawn into Līga Kļaviņa’s work by this piece entitled Cold Hands.
Even when faces are obscured, there is (e)motion in the composition.
The frailty and gentle nature of her subjects, combined with an ethereal sense of lightness and movement make for lovely illustrative work.
I felt my heart well up when I saw these paintings, in which Ruth Oosterman builds upon the art of her tiny toddler.
Parents out there, I encourage you to try your own variation of this collaborative effort. You don’t have to be a professional artist to create something truly memorable with a child. How beautiful that both people, in their own widely distant stages of life, contribute a life force to a single image.
I love this painting, The Dead Cello, by Mike Bombon.
Have you ever seen a dapper mosquito? He’s all dressed up to be one of the most annoying creatures on earth.
Do you trust her to reveal your future?
I’d like the think the cat made this decoration himself.
It’s a little early, I know. But I want to make a quick request: if you fellow admirers of the strange and unusual come across memorable Halloween art, decorations, products, costumes, clothing, food…or anything else that deserves a spot on SWS over the next month and a half, please comment or send links via the contact form on the right. I happily credit those who share articles with links to their personal pages/projects.
TREEEEEEEEEATS!
I already have some goodies I’m excited to share and can’t wait to see what we come up with as a community!
Are we ready to get into the spooky spirit of the best time of year? Archie McFee’s is selling this Poe Sweater in the comically accurate One size that fits no one well .
This is a limited quantity, exclusive item! Some people prefer Halloween to any other holiday and this Edgar Allan Poe Sweater is for them. You could wear it as a Christmas sweater, but it’s designed to be worn on a brisk autumn evening as you contemplate your own mortality while sitting in a graveyard next to an abandoned church. Featuring an honest, but misguided attempt to accurately capture the likeness of Edgar Allan Poe, this sweater is sure to be a conversation piece with you and your friends as you play with a Ouija board and read poetry from your tear-stained journal. This one-size-fits-most sweater is sausage-casing-tight on a 2XL person and awkwardly loose on a medium frame. (I guess that means for me, it’s a dress)
The model photos are amazingly, perfectly awkward.
Svetlana Karelina made an anatomical plasticine piece that most certainly deserves a spot on this blog.
She also appears to be working on a “7 Deadly Sins” series using animals, which is unique and wonderful so far.
Cement Eclipses is a series of installations in Chiapas, Mexico, featuring tiny skeletons in reflective poses.
Often sharply dressed in the attire of the living, these little characters are contemplative, curious, melancholy…
They hide in tiny crevices, carrying their thoughts and wishes in the often ignored parts of everyday scenery.
I was captivated by this paper clay sculpture by Pat Lillich. She is called The Courtesan; a haunting memento mori of skin deep beauty.
This one, a smooth, nearly alien angel, conjures feelings of redemption and transformation.
And some characters are just plain fun.
Phil Are Go! posted a series of images from a 1946 issue of Popular Mechanics that featured behind the scenes taxidermy. The captions containing the *ahem…cough, cough* “reproduced text” are hilarious.
“Taxidermy” comes from the Latin “taxi”, meaning “yellow car for short term hire” and “dermy”, meaning “having nothing to do with”. Since the dawn of time, Man has been fascinated with killing animals, shoving lots of things into them, and then staring at them. Until the creation of the first museum, these men were just sick weirdos. Now, they are the archivists of the miracle of life, through the glory of death.
The journey of taxidermy begins with the animal being lightly killed. In this photograph, we see a Chimpanzee receiving his “contribution to history injection”. The animal’s last meal may consist of beer or Tang, depending on whether he was a jerk and bit somebody.
I’m still laughing at the phrase “lightly killed” (though it’s no laughing matter, of course).
Since I can’t take credit for the writing, I’ll let you read the rest here.
Thank you, Bettie!
SheWalksSoftly 