Designer Jelte van Abbema was a winner at the Dutch Design Awards and the accompanying €10,000 Rado Prize in part due to his piece “Symbiosis,” a font created with e.coli bacteria. One could say this could be a nasty computer virus!
Van Abbema created the font by stamping bacteria into paper, and then placing the paper in a jury-rigged incubator, which provided the right humdity and warmth for the organisms. As they multiplied and died, the resulting fonts changed color and shape. As van Abbema says, bacteria “transforms the image to something new,” creating something that is literally alive, changing every minute without ever being tended.
I looked up “deadpan” in the dictionary recently found this video of Christopher Walken reciting the lyrics of Lady Gaga’s hit anthem “Poker Face” in the manner that only he (and countless imitators) can. Even Kanye wouldn’t dispute the man’s genius.
William Shatner is once again poking fun at another fame-seeking Alaskan. If you remember, several months back, the veteran actor and musician lampooned Sarah Palin by reading her tweets to a beat poetry rhythm. He’s turned his attention towards Levi Johnston, onetime Palin family member. Something tells me this is the least of Levi’s worries. Reports have leaked that his upcoming possibly full-frontal photo shoot for Playgirl has hit a little bump: he’s worried about his penis size. If you cannot stomach the pictures fear not: since I am a card carrying homosexual dedicated to journalistic integrity I will take one for the SUNfiltered team and report back my findings. Until then, enjoy Mr. Shatner above.
As the post-Halloween haze lifts, lets take a moment to reflect back on some of the more imaginative, creative, and/or topical costumes from around the country that reverberated around the Internet and blogosphere this week. My favorite this year fell on the surreal artsy side of things. Artist Eric Testroete built a “papercraft self-portrait,” which reminds me of those easter egg modes in video games that turns all the characters heads into “big heads.” More after the jump.
The other night, not unlike Monday nights a-many in the past, I found myself glued to the television, sucked in by a vortex commonly known as Intervention, the television series. Have you watched it? It’s a show about addiction. Beware, you’re liable to become addicted. (And I don’t feel very good about my problem, either, and I think I need help. Where’s my TV show for that?) Watching, I couldn’t help but think about a fewcolleagues I know in the NY documentary community who’ve begun to direct Intervention. Is this, could this be, is it anything near … documentary?
Well, documentary is a slippery term, as you know, already. Many filmmakers prefer “non fiction film.” Or just plain and simple, “movies.” The Intervention folk wouldn’t dare – they call their thing … a television series. A reality television series.
There’s a reason why Truth or Dare is mostly played by high school kids — because they’re the only ones who are willing to spend hours coming up with creative truths or dares to get their peers more naked, either figuratively or literally. After a hard day at work — or, worse, after a hard day of trolling the help wanted ads in the middle of a recession — who can be bothered to be that creative? Especially when the sex is a sure thing.
There is not a single piece in UK artist James Hopkins’ portfolio of often amusing sculptures that I did not like. It was really tough to highlight a single one because they all seemed so blogworthy, but theInternet, especially the design community seems to love anything skull related, so check out this piece titled “Shelf Life.”
Those same talented dancers/inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines are at it again. This time, however, the tribute is not for Michael Jackson. Another effeminate and over-the-top singer gets their start treatment. Mr. Freddie Mercury would no doubt be proud that these prisoners, who learn to dance during their rehabilitation process, chose a Queen medley to perform. Filmed last week on Halloween, it will rock you.
Bricks, robot fish, and eco-warriors… this week’s green tech finds!
Find a green business… and a coupon:GenGreen Digital Media has just added a new feature to its Find Green iPhone app: coupons. Find a business that has what you want (and shares your values), and save some money in the process.
Online carbon reduction for builders: the Rocky Mountain Institute has just released Green Footstep, an online tool that allows builders to assess (and reduce) that carbon emissions of building and retrofitting projects.
Jerry Lewis is not everyone’s favorite comedian. His abrasive laugh, nasally voice and loud, hammy impressions either rub you the wrong way or send you to the floor laughing. But love him or hate him, Jerry Lewis was a pioneer of physical comedy and also directed his most famous films. During an eight year streak he directed and starred in THE BELLBOY (1960), THE LADIES MAN (1961), THE ERRAND BOY (1961), THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1963), THE PATSY (1964), THE FAMILY JEWELS (1965), THREE ON A COUCH (1966) AND THE BIG MOUTH (1967).
Starting November 12th, The Anthology Film Archives “addresses one of the questions that has challenged thinkers throughout the ages: could the French have gotten Jerry Lewis right?”
Image from Cattelan’s collaboration with Pierpaolo Ferrari for W’s Art Issue
