Tag: oddities

Victoria’s Way Sculpture Park

October 7th, 2009

This series of sculptures caught my eye recently (it’s almost fitting for a Halloween post!).

The unusual spiritual visions of an Irishman were created in stone by craftsmen in Mahabalipuram, India, and now populate a sculpture park in County Wicklow, Ireland.

On 22 acres of grounds, the park includes a series of dancing Ganesh figures, Shiva and other Hindu deities. It also includes more bizarre sculptures of a skeletal Buddha-like figure, an enormous disembodied finger, and a sculpture called “The Split Man” which shows a figure ripping itself in two, representing “the mental state of the dysfunctional human”.

Source
LA Bizarro

September 13th, 2009

I always prefer the hidden oddities of any given region to the highly manufactured tourist attractions. Since I’m often on the West coast, I have to get my hands on a copy of L.A. Bizarro

The book is an updated release of an older version, packed with new strange delights: food, museums, sideshows, dives, cemeteries and the like. I have a feeling there’s much in store for me on my next LA visit.

Book website
Jill Haefele

July 24th, 2009

One of the most bizarre (and amazing) ITP Spring Show creations had to be the Circadian Squirrel by Jill Haefele. Here we have a taxidermy squirrel who removes and replaces his own head to the rhythm of the 24 hour biological cycle.

Watch it in action here!
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.
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)
Jenny Haniver

April 27th, 2009

Though oddly labeled with what sounds like a personal name, a Jenny Haniver is actually the dried and modified corpse of a cartilaginous fish (usually a ray or skate).

Jenny Hanivers often resemble devils, angels, mermaids and other standard Weekly World News fare. One theory of origin is that Antwerp sailors would sit on the docs and carve these specimens, preserve them with a coat of varnish and sell them to tourists.

Some involve some pretty amazing artistry, and are beautiful collectors items for cryptozoologists.

I love the seemingly ubiquitous grin…

Sometimes Jenny Hanivers show up unexpectedly, without human manipulation. The unassuming seafood shopper in Japan may indeed run across them in fish markets:

Barring the smell, I think it would be quite a treat to walk by something like this.
Armadillo Skeleton Hood Ornament

April 14th, 2009

This chromed armadillo skeleton adorns the hood of a random vehicle in Eugene, Oregon. Perhaps the owner is a Texas native.

I’ve always taken an interest in animal symbolism. The armadillo represents emotional and physical boundaries (a sensible meaning, considering the creature’s ability to roll itself into a ball and be completely armored against attack).

Somehow I doubt the hood ornament has anything to do with that.

I also came across the Benevolent Order of Armadillos, founded in 1997 and now boasting over 1,500 members. I love the internet.

Hood ornament source.
Evolution

March 5th, 2009

After wanting to go for the longest time, I finally paid a visit to Evolution. This place is a truly incredible wunderkammer of natural history.

I wish I had taken my camera. I spent a good hour in the store, examining all of the unique treats: fossils, bones, stones, shells, insects, jewelry, medical models, ancient artifacts, taxidermy specimens.

I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were. For under $150, you can purchase a freeze dried two-headed bat, mounted and preserved in glass (regular bats are only $49!).

(I have a personal quirk which makes me unable to purchase even the most interesting taxidermy because I can’t stand the thought of a creature being intentionally snuffed out for the sake of display. In a museum? Perhaps. In my house…not a chance).

If man eating Piranha are more your speed, look for further.

They even carried the entire collection of Kikkerland Anatomical Puzzles!

I was quite proud of the restraint I showed, leaving with only a tiny fossilized Trilobite.

It feels quite special to have this artifact that is over 300 million years old, like a strange connection to a nearly unfathomable history.

If you are in NY, I highly recommend paying evolution a visit.
Thailand Unique

January 27th, 2009

I’m truly grateful to have friends who instantly think of me when presented with various oddities and ridiculous products. Steph sent me this link the other day. Thailand Unique specializes in “insect and reptile liquors,” though there are all kinds of creatures in the mix.

Scorpion vodka comes in regular, Banana Flavor, and “Sun Yellow:”

Snake wine:

Cobra whiskey:

And one that almost seem too cute to be suspended in liquor. He seems sadly resigned to his place in the vodka bottle:

I’m sure these are meant to be conversation pieces, and they are indeed interesting (probably the closest thing you can find if you’re seeking to decorate with specimens preserved in formaldehyde).

See more here.
Japanese Blood Mascots

January 6th, 2009

I admire the ability of Japanese culture to depict any object or concept with otherwordly cuteness. These adorable bloody-eared mascots are designed to recruit blood donors.

Kenketsu-chan (“blood donation girl”) is the official mascot for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. She comes from Help Island, where rainbows transport her to those in need of blood. Her ears diminish in size when people don’t donate.

Kokoron-chan is the local mascot of Iwate:

And one of my personal favorites on the right side, Chiipitto (“blood cupid”) works around Hiroshima:

(on the left above, we see Aipii who works the blood drives in Ehime)

I think Chiipitto needs to be turned into a kitschy plush toy. I’ll get working on that!

More pictures and info here.