Extreme Diorama

maxwell — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:15:10 +0000

Not sure what’s up. Lately I seem to be drawn to these tiny environments. I remember a class I had in elementary school where we were instructed to build shoebox dioramas from candy. It was Halloween, and in thinking back it’s amazing I ended up with an education having been party to a curriculum that, in many instances, seems to have been geared more toward filling hours with busy work, than my brain with enlightening ideas. Of course, I enjoyed the project. It doesn’t take much to get my creative juices flowing. I was lost for hours envisioning the possibilities of a world made from sweet treats––Wonka be damned. It’s just that I’m sure the diorama went the way of macaroni pasted to construction paper or hand-traced-turkeys––into the circular file.

Faux fur and cotton were just a couple items used to create this breathtaking landscape.

Which brings me to Matthew Albanese, a recent discovery and new fav of mine. Matthew’s work consists of painstakingly recreating realistic environments in miniature and then photographing them. With all matter of materials like plaster, cotton, faux fur, parsley, etc., he builds the models to scale. Then, using photographic techniques like forced perspective, adjusting lighting and white balance, he captures the emotive properties of each tiny world he’s created. The detail of the work is amazing and the realism of the various settings is uncanny. I recommend checking out his work. You can follow both his process and see the resulting final product at his gallery.

Steel wool used to create the tornado, parsley and moss make up the foreground.

Hobbit home-making hobbyist…Huh?

maxwell — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:31:38 +0000

Someone enjoys alliteration… How about this… Bilbo Baggins’ Bag End Built by…Okay enough.

Very few things make me jealous…

That’s not exactly true. Many things make me jealous, but I can usually overcome these envious feelings and put them towards something more positive, more productive. However, recently, I am overcome with feelings of inadequacy. Ever since I discovered this work by Maddie Chambers. It’s truly amazing, impressive not only by scale, but also the craft. I admire her dedication and detail in reproducing Bilbo Baggins’ Bag End. From the landscaping and gardens outside, to the handcrafted breads, pies and cakes that fill the shelves of the pantry, the amount of detail involved in creating Bilbo’s domain verges on manic. Manic, maybe. Inspiring, definitely.

I think my favorite part about this undertaking is that it was produced while she attended college. It brought me back to the hours I’d spend, late in the evenings, at the studio; widdling away at a piece of wood, or staring bleary-eyed at a computer screen. Hours that would pass by uninterrupted, as I was absorbed in the latest undertaking. Kudos to anyone who finds a project that excites them enough to invest hours upon hours obsessively exploring their passion.

There’s more to the story and many more great detail shots. Check out the rest of Maddie Chambers work on her blog.

Somebody gets it

maxwell — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:45:33 +0000

Via Superpunch

In a recent effort to escape the oppressive gloom of budget cuts, the New York Public Library decided to do a little a bit of innovative marketing to boost PR and create some noise. They invited Improv Everywhere to reenact Ghostbusters. Sure it’s a tad corny, but you’ve gotta give props to the people behind this venture. Library’s are the last place on earth I think of when I think of cheery venues, or potential spots for improvisation. Corny or not, what’s the harm in creating some buzz and provoking a few smiles. I’m sure all those people walked away with an interesting story to tell about their day.

Farm fresh to me

maxwell — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:43:18 +0000

I was at an EarthFest event in Sacramento the other day–I know, technically today is Earth day. I guess this was a warm-up to Earth Day festivities. Anyways, one of the offerings that I couldn’t resist checking out was one from a company called Farm Fresh to You. The idea being that they ship fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the farm to your front steps. Now you ask, why would one want fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to their front door. Well, if you have to ask that, than perhaps it’s not for you. Now, it is true that one could easily go to the farmers market and pickout these same fruits and vegetables, but where’s the fun in that? Okay, farmer’s markets are enjoyable in their own right, but I was interested in the process and giving delivered produce a go. Besides, it was simple enough to fill out the form at the event and pick out the right amount to suit my needs.

After processing my info, the goods were shipped to me a week later. I think, had I signed up online, the process might have been even faster. Each delivery is different. The items change depending on what’s in season and available from week to week. And if there is a fruit or vegetable that you truly despise, you can ask them to leave it off your list. There are several different sized packages to choose from, either mixes or only fruit/vegetable options. Also, there are different delivery options, all of which are customizable on the site. I chose bi-weekly.

I received my delivery just the other day. It was fun to get a package of fresh produce delivered to my door, and nice to know that it’s certified organic and picked only days before. Also, they post what will be coming in your box the Friday before your delivery, so you can change it up if necessary. So far, I have no complaints. The produce was fresh and delicious. Overall, a good way to save time and get seasonal, healthy produce. I recommend it for anyone who is super busy, but still wants to feed themselves or their family with farm fresh foods. For me, I’m just giving it a test run. I actually prefer taking the time to wander the aisles of the local farmer’s market, to people watch and interact with the vendors. That’s as immediate as I need my fruits and vegetables.

I’ve seen the future

maxwell — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:15:11 +0000

This place is amazing. A beautiful fusion of space and interactivity. Between the robots that guide you from one place to the next and the electronic display graphics that permeate the space, the Santander’s Visitor Center in Madrid is a glimpse of the future. The unique environment was created by YDreams and showcases some of the latest technology in an effort to merge human-interaction with slick design.

In the last post I talked about a book dealing with the history of timelines. Yet another of the many interesting features of this place, is a wall display with a timeline that allows users degrees of interaction depending on their proximity. The Santandar’s Visitor Center has certainly set the bar high for public spaces. Imagine the possibilities for museums or interpretive centers. Check the time, I think we just entered the future.

Where have you been?

maxwell — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:25:52 +0000

An experiment: take a second, clear your mind and see how long you can go without thinking about time – ha! Okay, that wasn’t fair, but the truth is, you can’t escape it. From the moment we understand the concept of time, to the day we die, we’re obsessed with it. Just think about your last vacation, good or bad, did one week feel like two? Did it seem too short? Even on our down-time we map our past, present or future trajectory in some form or another.

A new book “Cartographies of Time,” by Daniel Rosenberg and Anthony Grafton takes a look at the various ways we’ve diagrammed, or graphed time throughout history. Essentially, it’s a timeline of timelines, showcasing wondrous illustrations and antiquated tools to more modern methods of chronology.

How to it!

maxwell — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:53:28 +0000

Here’s a great site for kids and adults alike. Instruction on “how to” described dynamically through comics. Ever have the desire to make a flute out of a turkey baster. Check it out!

http://www.howtoons.com/

Automata lives

maxwell — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:03:44 +0000

I’m a sucker for all things automata. I love the antique machines that run with just the insertion of a coin, or the turn of a crank. The wondrous automatons motivated by various gears and springs, often completing only simple tasks, but nonetheless fascinating in their ability to operate by mechanical energy alone. I think too, I’m drawn to the era that manifested many of these machines, a simpler time, when science hadn’t yet defined everything, and the world seemed to have a little bit of wonder and magic left in it. The art of automata is still alive, however. There are many artists who are exploring the possibilities of the form.

Tom Haney blends antiquated styling with new forms and articulated movement.

Steve Armstrong’s work encourages interaction.

There are several places around the globe that showcase the more antiquated machines, but one place I’ve thoroughly enjoyed is the Musee Mecanique in San Francisco. Located near Fisherman’s Wharf, the warehouse offers various antique mechanical wonders, from machines to games and dioramas, even Kinetiscopes, all operated with just the insertion of a coin. It’s a great place to spend part of a day, going from one display to the next. In an afternoon, you can experience a centuries-worth of games and automata, as it culminates with a few of the classic arcade hits from the 80s. If you have the time, I highly recommend it.

Here are a some other automata sites of interest:

http://www.automatomania.co.uk/
http://www.dugnorth.com/blog/index.aspx
http://www.keithnewsteadautomata.com/mywork-gallery
http://www.pop-up.dk/english/Mekanik.htm#
http://www.kineticart.com.ar/

Literally, healthy food

maxwell — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:11:33 +0000

I’m fascinated by how often solutions to many of the problems we face are mapped out in the natural systems that surround us. How for example, we can improve our sometimes backwards, against-the-grain methods of production, just by taking the time to explore the processes that occur in nature. This recent, entertaining and easily digestible (pun intended) Ted Talk on sustainable fish farming, by self-proclaimed foodie Dan Barber, looks at these processes. An interesting presentation offering insight into how left to function as natural food webs, some ecosystems can produce better results in sustainable food production and even better tasting food.

Wilde – Irish woman

maxwell — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:01:41 +0000

Being that the Irish festivities are upon us and it’s Women’s History month, it seems only appropriate to share a book I picked up not too long ago on Irish legend and lore, written by Francesca Speranza Wilde, also known as Jane Wilde. Though the book is now in the public domain, having been published in the late 1800s, I decided to get myself a copy. It’s titled Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland, and focus’s mainly on the folklore passed down through generations of Irish peasantry. What’s great about it, is that the stories were researched by Lady Wilde herself, told to her by locals, and remain unadulterated. In retelling the stories, she preserved the crudeness, their fable-like qualities. Making them less like plot-driven, polished fairytales and more like the stories the Brothers’ Grimm might have written. Not only are they entertaining, but they also give a glimpse into the wit and wisdom of the Irish culture.

A poet and a progressive herself, Lady Wilde was much interested in Irish culture and a supporter of the nationalist movement. She often wrote controversial poetry under the pen name “Speranza” and was very much involved in supporting other literary figures. Also, she was an early advocate of women’s rights and campaigned for better education for women. Though she is probably less well known than her son Oscar, there is no doubt she was a great influence on him and model woman of her time.