Hungarian artist and deviantART user cerkahegyzo carves intricate miniature sculptures from a single lead pencil (with the exception of #5 & #15, not sure how he did those!). The artist says it’s a hobby and form of relaxation for him and that he carves them in his free time. During the day he works as a professional tool-maker in Hungary.

Cerkahegyzo says he started carving after coming across the highly detailed sculptures of artist Dalton Ghetti who also uses lead pencils as his preferred medium. Tools used include: needles, razor blades, sandpaper, files, polishing stones and all varieties of pencils (e.g., HB, B, 2B, 4B).

Below is a small collection of the artist’s unbelievable artwork. Be sure to check out his deviantART profile to see his entire portfolio.

[via minngirl, SoundGuyJake]

 

cerkahegyzo.deviantart.com

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

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Artwork by cerkahegyzo @ deviantART

 

 

 

cerkahegyzo.deviantart.com

 

 

 

 

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The Most Incredible Miniature Pencil Art [20 pics]

 

 

 

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Miniature Bonsai Tree Wire Sculptures by Ken To

 

 

 

 

Roberto Bernardi is a hyperrealistic still life painter from Italy. Born in Todi in 1974, Bernardi first work in oils date back to the early 80s. In 1993 Bernardi moved to Rome where he worked as a restorer in the church of San Francesco a Ripa. After an initial foray with landscapes and portraits, Bernardi turned towards Hyperrealism.

He had his first solo exhibit in 1994 and his work has been seen around the world since. He is currently represented by the Bernarducci Meisel Gallery in New York and you can find his work in the following cities for the upcoming calendar year:

Solo exhibition 2013
- New paintings, Bernarducci Meisel Gallery, New York

Group exhibition 2013
- Painted Illusions: Hyperrealism 1967-2012, Thyssen – Bornemisza Museum, Madrid, 8 April to 30 June
- Painted Illusions: Hyperrealism 1967-2012, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, England
- Photorealism Revisited, OKCMOA – Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklaoma City, 30 January to 5 May 2013
- Besthoff Collections, NOMA – New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans
- The Butler Institute Of American Art, Sept. 2013, Howland Township, Ohio (U.S.A.)

 

1.

Artwork by Roberto Bernardi | Bernarducci Meisel Gallery

 

CANDY MACHINE, oil on canvas, 2009, 70 x 100 cm.

 

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Artwork by Roberto Bernardi | Bernarducci Meisel Gallery

 

CERCHI PERFETTI, oil on canvas, 2006, 80 x 120 cm

 

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Artwork by Roberto Bernardi | Bernarducci Meisel Gallery

 

GLI SCIENZIATI, oil on canvas, 2006, 42 x 60 cm.

 

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Artwork by Roberto Bernardi | Bernarducci Meisel Gallery

 

CANDY RAINBOW, oil on canvas, 2010, 87 x 125 cm

 

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Artwork by Roberto Bernardi | Bernarducci Meisel Gallery

 

COLORI E SENTIERI, oil on canvas, 2004, 57 X 68 cm.

 

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Artwork by Roberto Bernardi | Bernarducci Meisel Gallery

 

LE DUE LUCI, oil on canvas, 2012, 90 X 55 cm.

 

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Artwork by Roberto Bernardi | Bernarducci Meisel Gallery

 

FUORI O DENTRO, oil on canvas, 2007, 76 X 106 cm.

 

8.

Artwork by Roberto Bernardi | Bernarducci Meisel Gallery

 

IL DIAMANTE, oil on canvas, 2010, 45 X 50 cm

 

 

 

If you enjoyed this post, the Sifter
highly recommends:

 

15 Unbelievable Paintings That Look Like Photographs

 

 

 

Hyperrealistic Portraits Using Only Ballpoint Pens

 

 

 

Translucent Fruit Paintings by Dennis Wojtkiewicz

 

 

 

 

The World Photography Organisation just revealed the shortlists for the Professional, Open and Youth categories of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards. In a year that saw over 122,000 entries from 170 countries – the highest number of submissions to date – the judges have selected a shortlist of photographs that stood out beyond all others for their impressive high quality, originality and modern appeal.

Bringing together the very best international contemporary photography, the shortlist offers a unique insight into 2012 through the eyes of some of the world’s best emerging and established photography talents. The work of all the shortlisted photographers will be exhibited at Somerset House, London, from 26 April – 12 May as part of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition. The images will also be published in the 2013 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book.

Professional category winners and the coveted L’Iris D’Or/ Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year title will be announced at a gala ceremony in London on 25 April. The L’Iris D’Or winner will receive $25,000 (USD) and the Open Photographer of the Year will receive $5,000 (USD). All winners, including category winners, will receive the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony.

Below is a curated selection of some of the Sifter’s favourites from the shortlist and finalist galleries. To view all shortlisted entries, please visit the official WPO site at: http://www.worldphoto.org/about-the-sony-world-photography-awards/

 

Professional Competition:
Shortlist and Finalists

 

 

White-handed Tree Frog by Hudson Garcia

© Hudson Garcia, Brazil, Finalist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards

 

Series made with two species of tree frogs in southern Brazil. These amazing animals jump to escape predators and catch their prey. For these images Hudson used a high-speed laser sensor positioned immediately in front of the plant where the tree frogs were.

 

Journey to Jerusalem of Africa by Gali Tibbon

© Gali Tibbon, Israel, Finalist, Travel, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Every year, just before Christmas day (Julian calendar) thousands of pious Christian orthodox worshipers make pilgrimage to Lalibela, a small town in Ethiopia’s highlands, known as ‘Jerusalem of Africa’ or ‘Black Jerusalem’. Lalibela is famous for its 13th century monolithic churches, carved out of the living rock and one of the world’s great wonders.

 

Personality and society. Reality vs illusions. by Ilya Pitalev

© Ilya Pitalev, Finalist, Current Affairs, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

 

These are the photos taken during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of North Korea founder Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang in April 2012.

 

Machine Gun Americana by Pete Muller

© Pete Muller, United States, Finalist, People, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

 

A kindergarten teacher from Greenwood, AK, fires an M1919 Browning .30 caliber machine gun on the first night of the Oklahoma Full Auto Shoot and Trade Show. “It is such an adrenaline rush” – she explained after stepping back from the weapon. She had traveled to OFASTS for the first time with her husband and eight-year-old son. “I grew up hunting with my Dad so guns are nothing unusual for me” – she said.

 

Faster than the Speed of Sound by Balazs Gardi

© Balazs Gardi, Hungary, Finalist, People, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Felix Baumgartner contemplates in the stratospheric capsule during an egress training in Lancaster, California, USA on February 22, 2012. On October 14, 2012 Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner broke the world record for balloon and free-fall height and became the first person to break the sound barrier without propulsion. After jumping from a helium balloon over 39 kilometers into the stratosphere his free fall reached a speed of 1,342 kilometers per hour.

 

Dubai Aerials by Johannes Heuckeroth

© Johannes Heuckeroth, Germany, Finalist, Travel, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

 

 

Eye to Eye by Rob Van Thienen

© Rob Van Thienen, Belgium, Shortlist, Sport, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

 

A greyhound ends first in his race, and although the lure is right in front of him, he’s looks straight into the eyes of the photographer (me) and continues his run. I had to jump for my life taking this picture.

 

On the Shore of a Vanishing Island by Daesung Lee

© Daesung Lee, Korea, Finalist, Contemporary Issues, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards/SIPA Press

 

I focused on showing the tragic situation rather than on a story of their lives. I did not want to follow the general style of photojournalism, because the eroding shore tells the story about the situation where villagers live in. Ghoramara Island is located in West Bengal. Due to the dramatic increase in sea level, resulting from global warming since the 1960’s, the shores of this island are being perpetually washed away. As a result two-thirds of the population have moved away from the island. Many of the people still living on the island are farmers and fishermen who depend on the island’s resources for their livelihoods.

 

The Last Days of Obama’s Campaign by Brooks Kraft

© Brooks Kraft, US, Shortlist, Campaign, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards/Corbis Contributors

 

Photojournalist Brooks Kraft followed Barack Obama during his last campaign producing an intimate look at the President fighting for re-election.

 

Inside Kabul’s Screens by Danish Siddiqui

© Danish Siddiqui, India, Finalist, Arts and Culture, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards/Reuters

 

Cinema goers watch a Pashto film at Pamir Cinema in Kabul May 4, 2012. Once a treasured luxury for the elite, Afghan cinemas are dilapidated and reflect an industry on the brink of collapse from conflict and financial neglect. Kabul’s cinemas show Pakistani films in Pashto, American action films and Bollywood to rowdy, largely unemployed crowds in pursuit of any distraction from their drab surroundings.

 

Jim Rickey by Christian Aslund

© Christian Aslund, Sweden, Finalist, Campaign, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Project: Honkey Kong – a 2d platform game tribute. Shot on location in Hong Kong. Images were shot from skyscrapers toward the ground, using a telephoto lens to make the image as flat as possible to make it look like a platform game.

 

The Wealthy Roma of Buzescu by Ivan Kashinsky

© Ivan Kashinsky, United States, Shortlist, People, Sony World Photography Awards

 

Six-year old twins Gelu and Edi Petrache sit on stairs in a mansion on Easter Sunday in Buzescu, a small town in Romania. Buzescu is known for its ultra-wealthy Roma and their bizarre mansions that line the main street. The Roma of Buzescu are part of the Kalderash clan and are known for being coppersmiths and dealing with metal scraps. After the fall of the communist regime in the late 80s, they stripped old factories of their metals and some made a small fortune re-selling them. They are also known for making cazane, copper stills that produce alcohol such as palinka, a plum brandy.

 

Afrometals by Daniele Tamagni

© Daniele Tamagni, Italy, Shortlist, Art & Culture, Sony World Photography Awards

 

In Botswana metal music has landed in the nineties, but the rock came in the seventies by two Italian brothers, Ivo and Renato Sbrana, born and raised in the heart of Africa. The metal complexes are performing in nightclubs, concerts, festivals. The most famous african rock band is now Skinflint. The ranks of their fans has expanded dramatically. These fans wear jackets and black leather pants, studded belts, boots and cowboy hats. On their t-shirts stand out skulls, obscenities, historical covers of hard-rock groups popular in the seventies and eighties of the last century such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, AC / DC. Basically they created their own style look that is inspired by the classic symbolism metal, but also borrows heavily from the iconography of hands-Western film and the traditional rural world of Botswana (ever-present horns of animals concealed beneath the leather jacket).

 

Urban Darkness by Christof Pluemacher

© Christof Pluemacher, Germany, Finalist, Architecture, Sony World Photography Awards

 

All images were shot at night-time in Düsseldorf, Germany. The images are less of an architectural story but more about what visual impact of light or better the absence of it has on architecture and on the observer. The images are reflections on the observation about energy being conserved at night-time in German urban spaces. Once lit monoliths, urban structure now more and more become ghostly colossus and an indicator of changing times. Light usually takes away the fears of the night and indicates the wealth and prosperity in the western world. Dark cities and dark structures were once trademark signs of impoverished countries and the communist east. With that era being a thing of the past, the new urban darkness indicates a change of times.

 

Makro Dunyasi by Mehmet Karaca

© Mehmet Karaca, Turkey, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards

 

 

A Portrait of the Matterhorn by Nenad Saljic

© Nenad Saljic, Croatia, Finalist, Landscape, Sony World Photography Awards

 

 

Encerrados by Valerio Bispuri

© Valerio Bispuri, Italy, Finalist, Contemporary Issues, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards/Echo Press Agency

 

Prison inmates Santiago, Chile. I spent 10 years travelling for South-America jails. A different and complex world in which violence and abuse are part of convicts life. I saw how the convicts try to find a space similar to that one they had outside jails. They try to preserve their dignity. The necessity to recreate their space is the only way to defend them. They hardly try to maintain their habits in a human boundary condition and overcrowding status. Violence and power management inside the jails are direct consequences of these conditions. I went around for 74 male and female jails in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia e Venezuela. I got in contact with prisoners and guards, with fear and anger, with hope and diffidence. Some convicts considered me a distraction, others looked at me with envy, others again with contempt because they thought that I was there only for taking pictures to sell of their confined life.

 

Bolted by Adam Pretty

© Adam Pretty, Australia, Finalist, Sport, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards/Getty Images

 

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Usain Bolt of Jamaica races ahead of Ryan Bailey of the United States, Yohan Blake of Jamaica, Justin Gatlin of the United States and Tyson Gay of the United States to win the Men’s 100m Final on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 5, 2012 in London, England.

 

Open Competition:
Shortlist and Finalists

 

 

Game of Colors by Anurag Kumar

© Anurag Kumar, India, Arts and Culture, Shortlist, Arts & Culture, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

 

Holi – the festival of colors – is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festivals. It’s an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors!

 

Face to Face by Christian Vizl

© Christian Vizl, Mexico, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards

 

They explore the underwater world, and its infinite possibilities for generating strong emotions in the human beings. I try to capture sublime moments of our natural environment with images that inspire, make us vibrate through the beauty in every corner of the world that excite and make us dream of a better world, where we value and care for all expressions of life. Because beyond the issue of our survival is the issue of how we experience our life and how we celebrate it. And our experience of life is intrinsically linked to how we communicate and “connect” with everything around us, especially with all life around us. In my case, it is the ocean and its living creature that makes me want to celebrate. So my photography is intended to be a celebration of marine life and the underwater world.

 

Starry Tree by Elmar Akhmetov

© Elmar Akhmetov, Kazakhstan, Shortlist, Low Light, Sony World Photography Awards

 

Milky Way, looking like a giant tree atop of the mountain near Ush Konyr plateau.

 

Waikiki Beach by Flavio D’Aquino

© Flavio D’Aquino, Italy, Shortlist, Architecture, Sony World Photography Awards

 

This is an alternative point of view of the famous Hawaiian beach. People aren’t disposed in a horizontal plan, as usually on a beach, but caught in a vertical exposure.

 

Running for Life by Frederick van Heerden

© Frederick van Heerden, South Africa, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards

 

14 giraffes flee after spotting lions in hunting mode.

 

Don’t Leave Me Alone by Hoang Hiep Nguyen

© Hoang Hiep Nguyen, Vietnam, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards

 

The last pollen spore preparing to leave a ladybird trying to hold on, because it didn’t want to be alone.

 

Untitled by Huu Hung Truong

© Huu Hung Truong, Vietnam, Shortlist, Smile, Sony World Photography Awards

 

Viet Nam has many ethnic minorities. This is ethnic ‘Mong’, who live in the Central Highlands Dak Nong-Vietnam Two old friends are telling each other jokes.

 

Wasp by John Matzick

© John Matzick, USA, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards

 

A huge wasp measuring 2.5 inches in length visiting the banana tree in my front yard.

 

Sheep River by Maciej Grzegorzek

© Maciej Grzegorzek, Poland, Shortlist, Commended, Travel, Sony World Photography Awards

 

Bieszczady mountains, Poland. Rain water evaporates from the soaked sheep fur while the shepherd leads animals to the house in the mountain pastures.

 

Soul of Sir Hitchcock by Maciej Makowski

© Maciej Makowski, Poland, Shortlist, Travel, Sony World Photography Awards

 

I was hanging around the Jaipur’s suburbia when I noticed a cloud of birds in the air. I’ve just instinctively released the shutter. Soul of Sir Hitchcock lives here I thought :)

 

Action Inside by Markus Reugels

© Markus Reugels, Germany, Shortlist, Split Second, Sony World Photography Awards

 

All my high-speed pictures are single shots without any Photoshop manipulation. I only adjust the levels of contrast. Some little sprinkles are cleaned with PS. That’s all the processing.

 

Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2012 by Ng Chai Hock

© Ng Chai Hock, Singapore, Shortlist, Arts and Culture, Sony World Photography Awards

 

Monks looked up at the magnificent night sky filled with thousands of lanterns in awe. Yi Peng lantern festival is meant as a time for tham bun to make merit. This was the moment I’ve been waiting for and it lasted very quickly due to strong wind. A very heavy downpour occurred right after we left the place. The lanterns were made of organic materials.

 

Butterfly Magic by Petar Sabol

© Petar Sabol, Croatia, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards

 

Two Pieris brassicae resting on plant and waiting for sunshine.

 

The Godfather by Peter Delaney

© Peter Delaney, South Africa, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards

 

 

Youth Competition:
Shortlist and Finalists

 

 

Urban Environment by Robert Gifford

© Robert Gifford, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Environment, Sony World Photography Awards

 

 

Nature’s Fightback by Jimmy

© Jimmy, Taiwan, Shortlist, Environment, Sony World Photography Awards

 

 

Haweswater Calm by Joe Stockdale

© Joe Stockdale, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Environment, Sony World Photography Awards

 

I took this photo on the road to Ambleside from Keswick, it’s rare you’ll get any of the lakes or waters this still through the day. The Sun was directly above the fell these trees are on, which created this strong golden touch fringing all the woodland.

 

 

 

 

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The Top 100 ‘Pictures of the Day’ for 2012

 

 

 

Highlights from the 2012 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

 

 

 

The 2011 Wikimedia Commons Picture of the Year Contest

 

 

 

If you grew up in the 80's, you may recall the popular TV advertisement in which the effects of drugs on your brain were compared to the effects of a hot pan on an egg - totally fried. The lines from the ad were: "This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?" A classic PSA moment that many people remember, even 25 years later. And, so, when it was time to create an ad campaign for the College for Creative Studies, it's no surprise that Team Detroit decided to design printed posters featuring a parody of this original idea, as well as several other well-known concepts.

Team Detroit is an advertising firm located in, you guessed it, Detroit. When they were approached by the College for Creative Studies to create an ad campaign for the school, the firm decided to not go the typical, technology route, but rather, chose to go with good old fashioned poster designs. In the series, somber faces and hilarious, bright yellow captions immediately capture the viewer's attention and you can't help but smile at the variety of comical spoofs, where parents talk to their kids about the seriousness of...going to art school! The concept was a great success and Team Detroit says, "After we created this series of low-tech posters, something amazing happened. They went viral. People started sharing them though blogs, Facebook and Twitter. People chuckled, then passed them along to their friends. Who knew you could blow up the Internet with a campaign full of print material?"

If you aren't familiar with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America television ad, you can watch the short version of the original ad in the video below.

Team Detroit website
College for Creative Studies website
via [Me.Show.]

Graphic designer David Olenick perfectly illustrates the humor of bad decisions, excuses, and basic human behavior. Olenick's designs are cleverly executed with a handy array of puns and a quirky cast of characters. From a tough guy name badge that reads: "HELLO MY NAME IS: keep walking" to the affectionate T-Rex with his outstretched tiny arms saying "I love you THIS much," the artist's sense of humor shines through.

A couple of Olenick's latest creations feature alcoholic beverages with some sound advice—a glass of wine recommending you to "text him" (presumably an ex) and a mug of beer getting real friendly with an "I love you, man." The illustrations and typography are fairly simple and minimalistic, but it's the combination of the image with the text that makes the whole thing hilarious and embarrassingly relatable.

Prints and other merchandise featuring Olenick's humorous designs can be purchased through his shops on Society6 and Threadless.

David Olenick website
via [Ian Brooks]

The children of the first cohort are starting to arrrive at elementary schools at a time when enrolment is at an all-time high and demand is far outstripping demand

Warning. Viewing these photos may make you want to A) Leave your desk job to pursue a career in extreme sports B) Jump in a kayak and plummet down a waterfall or C) Buy a fearless-looking, jet-skiing labradoodle (see last photo). As long as that's out of the way, may we now present you with another amazing set of crazy perspective photos taken with a GoPro Camera.

After our first post was shared around the web, we knew it was just a matter of time before we put together this follow-up compilation. For our first photo, what could be more epic than seeing a person free falling head-first down to the earth with his muscles tense and his arm stretched out? Just when we thought humans (and a dog) couldn't get any more extreme, they do. Thanks, GoPro users, for letting us join you on your exhilarating ride!

Above photo: Everything's better with friends. Ralph Turner took this amazing shot of his pal Dexter Marcelino skydiving over Miami.

Parasailing in Mallorca with Francisco Javier Alvarez-Ossorio Rossello!

GoPro athlete Ronnie Renner FMX + HERO3 Burst Mode = Rad.

GoPro rockstar Ben Brown doing some in-depth testing of his new HERO3!

GoPro fan Clive Mason says "This was my little girls 3rd flight... now she's holding the stick. Live the dream!"

Say cheese! Macking waves are not the only thing Kelly Slater has to keep an eye on in the water.

Even the GoPro Bomb Squad has downtime. — in Salt Lake City, UT.

GoPro friend and Waterluster Patrick Rynne captioned this photo, "New Year's resolution #1 - Get outside and explore."

Jacob Andersen playing in the waves in Karrebaeksminde Harbor in Denmark.

Getting high with Manuel Gindi, who says, "Nice speedfly session in Salzburg (Austria) a few days ago :) I hope you like it and it will be photo of the day :D !!!!!"

GoPro Goodwill Ambassador Kris Jamieson gets some lip smashing in at Powder Mountain Catskiing and Heliskiing in Whistler, BC. Photo Burst Mode, 30 shots/3 seconds, WiFi Remote in his right hand. Yeah, Jaymo!

GoPro athlete Brian Lopes shreds fall colors and rocks his new HERO3!

GoPro athlete Chad Kagy goes Easy Rider with his HERO3.

Pilot WIley Miller takes GoPro athlete Tom Wallisch and his HERO3 for a flight over Salt Lake and Stansbury Island!

Kayaking the black water of the Poudre River in Colorado after a big forest fire and a flash flood. Photo by Ian Madsen.

Daniel Kofler paragliding over the Dolomites with his HERO3!

GoPro athlete Rush Sturges paddling Tomata Falls in Mexico. — in Alseseca, Puebla.

GoPro Media Team member Caleb Farro rocks his Superman on the slopes.

Hot air ballooning over Ontario with Mark Freeman #408!

Now that is one talented Labradoodle! Shared by GoPro fan Brian Lyle.

GoPro's website

Lithuania-based artist Ceslovas Cesnakevicius has created a whimsical set of photo manipulations that ride that fine line between art and photography. It may be hard to believe but all of his images start with photos. The 35-year-old began taking pictures over ten years ago and he claims that he actually got into photography so that he could create these surreal photo manipulations.

Each of his works have that light and lovely feeling about them. Perhaps it's because he often uses images of clouds or the moon that makes us remember that there's life beyond our little world.

Though we may not know it, to Cesnakevicius, each photo is deeply personal. As he tells us, "Each of my work has its own little story. Generally speaking, my images come depending on my experiences, my impressions and a set of other things I go through as a person and a human being."

Ceslovas Cesnakevicius's Facebook page

For many years Lance Armstrong was hailed as a hero, a survivor of cancer who went on to win the Tour de France seven times. His reign as a champion was not without controversy. Accusations of doping seemed to follow him wherever he went and the cyclist denied the claims vehemently, often calling his accusers names and even going as far as suing them successfully.

Just last week, in an exclusive interview with Oprah, Armstrong confessed to doping on each of his seven Tour de France victories. Many people question his motives and doubt that he has come clean on all of his claims. Through his actions, he has not only tarnished his own reputation, but even more tragically, a dark cloud has formed over his LIVESTRONG foundation and the sport of cycling itself.

Street artist Plastic Jesus took it upon himself to express how many of us feel through his latest stencil recently seen on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Armstrong is depicted wearing a yellow jersey, signifying the leader of the group, with an I.V. strapped to the rear of his bike. As funny as the imagery may be to all of us, it's also a tragedy that an icon who so many have looked up to has now become the butt of a bad joke.

via [Blouin ArtInfo], [UOL]

Sriracha is hot right now. Actually Sriracha is always hot, but it’s hotness is really hot right now. That’s why it’s in everything these days—even chocolate. The Sriracha Spicy Chocolate Bar offers a unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors, making it an ideal gift for that spicy person in your life that you’re sweet on.
This isn’t the first time the hot cock has penetrated other foods with its spicy flavor (hehe). Recently Sriracha has been added to popcorn, lolipops, and lip balm—which technically isn’t a food, but technically that doesn’t stop me from eating it.

What is about superheroes that make them the topic of so many of our posts? (See here, here and here.) Is it their supernatural abilities, their fearlessness or their lifelong quest to find justice in this world? Perhaps it's all of these answers or perhaps it's none of them.

In Paul Armstrong's series, titled Everyday Occurrences of an Aging Superhero, it's about seeing the unglamorous side of a superhero's life. The series, which began in 2008 and continued to 2010, shows Armstrong dressed up as an aging Captain America, one that isn't heroically fighting crime, but instead, is just trying to stay above water.

As you click through each photo, make sure to read the short descriptions. For instance, for the first photo in this post, called Breakfast of Superheroes, Armstrong states: "Breakfast is a lonely time for Captain America. Up early. Awaiting that call. But usually it never comes and he eats his bran flakes alone in the dark."

The graphic designer and photographer of Wiseacre Photo describes his work and himself this way: "If I have any personal 'style' to my photography, it is in finding humor and drama in people and life. I'm still exploring this life and this new medium. I find that things aren't always as serious as we conjure, and that laughter bonds us more than politics or beliefs. I find it easier to experiment on myself to see what I can accomplish and achieve.

"Profiles are like politics: They sound important, but say only what you think someone else might want to hear. I'm a photographer, a designer, a husband, a father, a writer, a reader, a wanderer, a daydreamer, a procrastinator, a stone thrower, a collaborator, a consumer. I'm everything I wish I wasn't, and everything I'm supposed to be. I've said too much, but not enough. My work reflects a desire to not only capture life, but engage a viewer in a journey, a story, a moment."

"Ultimately it's all a mystery. What happened. How it happened. Why it happened. It washes away in memory, the saturation of that time turns into a murky toned dream. The past is the past and there's nothing to be done.

"There's always a chance to be cleansed. Renewed. But who really deserves that? 'Stand up and be a man' he mutters to himself."

Paul Armstrong's website

You could say that photographer Scott Rinckenberger was training for his job long before he ever picked up a camera. He's been skiing his whole life but it was just a few years ago that he decided to leave ski resorts behind to concentrate on what he calls "the wilderness."

"It's the place that I've been able to get to on my skis since then that has inspired this project," he says. Called An Elevated State, the series consists of incredibly majestic photos of Washington's mountains. Taken during a 12 month period while he's backcountry skiing, Rinckenberger shows us Washington as we've never seen it before. Love how he purposefully captures man as just a small silhouette against the grandeur of nature.

"My photographic method is immersive and minimal," he writes on his website. "I incorporate photography into adventures. I carry a very small kit and try to cover as much ground as possible on foot, skis and bikes. It is through this kinetic mode that I find my images, or they find me."

An Elevated State is showing at Evo's Seattle store for the month of January. Click here or watch the video, below, to learn more.

Scott Rinckenberger's website, Facebook and 500px

 

A spectrograph is an instrument or program that is used visualize the sound spectrum (a more detailed explanation can be found here). Additionally, there are also programs (such as Coagula and Metasynth) that allow users to easily convert any image into an audio file (you can even find a video tutorial on YouTube).

Musicians can then take these ‘image to audio’ files, mix them into a track and if you were to run that audio through a spectrograph you would suddenly see images like the ones in the gallery below. The most famous of these is undoubtedly from the song ‘[Equation]‘ by Aphex Twin.

When first discovered a slightly terrifying ‘demon face’ was found. It wasn’t until a fellow by the name of Jarmo Niinisalo came along and tweaked the settings to unearth the true image, the Aphex Twin himself, Richard D. James.

Below you will find a collection of images embedded into songs. If you know of any other notable examples please let us know in the comments!

 

 

1. [Equation] by Aphex Twin

Image via Jarmo Niinisalo

 

Image via Chaosmachine

 

This was the original ‘demon face’ image first found in Aphex Twin’s ‘[Equation]‘ song using a linear frequency scale instead of a logarithmic frequency scale.

 

These are the approximate settings Jarmo used to uncover ‘The Aphex Face’

 

This is the actual title of the track. You can see why it is also known as ‘[Equation]‘ or ‘[Formula]‘

 

 

2. Windowlicker by Aphex Twin

Image via Jarmo Niinisalo

 

 

3. Continuum by Disasterpeace
(FEZ Soundtrack)

Image via Black Coffee Spirit

 

 

4. My Violent Heart by Nine Inch Nails

Image via the nine inch nails wiki

 

 

5. Beyond by Disasterpeace (FEZ Soundtrack)

Image via Black Coffee Spirit

 

 

6. Transitions by DJ Sonix

Photograph via guru3d forums

 

 

7. Compass by Disasterpeace (FEZ Soundtrack)

Image via Black Coffee Spirit

 

 

8. Stripes by sippenaken

Image via sippenaken on YouTube

 

Image via sippenaken on YouTube

 

 

9. Flow by Disasterpeace (FEZ Soundtrack)

Image via Black Coffee Spirit

 

 

10. Compass by Disasterpeace (FEZ Soundtrack)

Image via Black Coffee Spirit

 

 

11. Look by Venetian Snares

Image via Jarmo Niinisalo

 

 

Sources

- bastwood.com: The Aphex Face
- the nine inch nails wiki
- Venture Beat: The Fez soundtrack’s hidden images and how they got there
- Black Coffee Spirit: Part 1 | Part 2

 

 

 

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BUILDING BLOCKS

 

Artwork by EVOL

 

EVOL is a German street artist living and working in Berlin. He’s well known for transforming pillars, electrical boxes, garbage cans and signs into miniature apartment blocks. This particular piece was spotted somewhere in Farringdon, a historic area of London, England.

 

EVOL via Street Art Utopia

 

 

 

Photograph by Jef Poskanzer

 

In MacKerricher State Park, near the city of Fort Bragg in northern California, you will find a beach littered with glass. Over decades of crashing waves the glass has been smoothed and rounded, transforming the shoreline into a colourful palette of pebble-like glass and sand.

 

Photograph by Molly (teeping on Flickr)

 

From 1906-1967 (the start date is up for debate), seaside towns were known to use the coastline as dumps, Fort Bragg was no different. After the devastation of the San Francisco earthquake the streets were filled with rubble and trash was dumped on the coast for the ocean to wash away. This of course, included plenty of glass.

 

Photograph by John ‘K’ on Flickr

 

It wasn’t until 1967 when city leaders and the North Coast Water Quality Board realized what a mistake it was and sought to relocate the dump away from the ocean and clean up the shoreline. After the clean-up and more decades of crashing ocean waves; only smoothed and rounded glass mostly remained.

 

Photograph by Jef Poskanzer

 

Glass Beach was purchased by California State Parks in October 2002. The Coastal Conservancy, with the City of Fort Bragg and the Mendocino Land Trust worked for over four years to assemble funding for the purchase of the 38-acre property. The Land Trust managed waste removal and clean-up, and completed botanical, archaeological and erosion control work that was required prior to purchase by State Parks. Since the Pudding Creek Trestle was completed in 2007, visitors may now walk from MacKerricher State Park to the headlands at Glass Beach connecting this highly visited “city” park to several miles of beach trails.

 

Photograph by mamojo on Flickr

 

As word of this unique beach spread, more and more visitors descended onto Glass Beach. Drawn to the beautifully smoothed and rounded glass, visitors began pocketing the glass with each visit. This has greatly diminished the amount of glass on the beach. And since it is now State Park property it is a misdemeanor to remove any artifacts. While there is still glass to be found the area has been greatly depleted.

 

Photograph by Megan (meganpru on Flickr)

 

In addition to searching for glass, the beach has an interesting array of tide pools to explore. Crabs, mollusks, and many aquatic plants make their homes in these ever-changing environments.

 

Photograph by Lee Rentz on Flickr

 

Sources

- FortBragg.com: Glass Beach – From Trash To Treasure
- Visit Mendocino: Glass Beach
- The Mendocino Land Trust: Glass Beach
- CNN: From trash to treasure
- Wikipedia: Glass Beach (Fort Bragg, California)

 

Photograph by kara brugman on Flickr

 

 

 

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Though Richard Heeks first caught the world's attention when he captured the exact moment when a bubble bursts (see Reflection Perfect, immediately below), you'd be surprised to find out that the Huddersfield, UK-based photographer actually got into photographing soap bubbles for a completely different reason. Inspired by a scene in the movie Blade Runner, where there's a close-up shot of the human eye with fire reflected on the pupil and iris, Heeks decided he wanted to try his hand at photographing reflections in the eyes. One day, however, that all changed. He just so happened to blow soap bubbles and noticed how strangely beautiful the reflections appeared. "I got kind of obsessed with trying to photograph the reflections and trying all kinds of different bubble mixtures and photography techniques," he tells us.

For Reflection Perfection, Heeks prides himself in not using any electronic devices to time the popping. He took a few thousand shots before he could get that one - mid-burst, in focus and in a pretty shade of blue. "It was really exciting to see the photograph on the back of the camera. I knew I'd created something beautiful," he says.

It's this self-professed obsession with bubbles that keeps the PhD student continually pushing himself in this field. He's used a special bubble mixture (called Zubbles), shot bubbles inside bubbles, created macro close-ups of soap film, and has even stuck needles in them to show that suspenseful moment when a needle penetrates its surface.

Looking through all of his photos, it's still his bubble reflections that make us stand back in awe. If you look closely, you can see Heeks in the middle of every photograph. While in some, he simply shoots bubbles with his patio door open, capturing breathtaking landscapes right outside his door, in still others, he manages to capture bubbles as they fly right over his head, creating a near unbelievable, non-Photoshopped panoramic view. "I found a shaded tree to get the all-important dark background," he writes on Flickr. "Nature provides!"

When asked what tips he could give on bubble photography, Heeks shared this:

"A really important tip is to have a dark background behind the bubble, because the background brings out the color of the bubble. A bright background, by contrast, makes the bubble look transparent. Another tip is to blow a few bubbles before taking the photograph. The first bubbles to come off the bubble wand are really wet, which produces a thick film to the bubble. Different film thicknesses create different colors, with the thinner films being more vibrant blues and yellows. I love the blues and pinks that come with a thin film. A bright sunny day also makes for beautiful light patterns in the bubble, because the sun can create bright spots and lines. You should be careful with the sunlight though, because the spots are very bright and could reflect into your eyes."

Richard Heeks' on Flickr

 

Located in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy, Domus Civita was purchased in 2011 by architect and Studio F owner Patrizio Fradiani. The house’s main structure was part of a larger building that was divided up in the 20th century but was originally built in the 14th century.

While the original stone fireplace, wooden beams and terracotta floors are breathtaking, it’s the underground caverns that are most captivating. Carved into the soft volcanic tufa stone, a series of tunnels and caves dating from the middle ages and Roman and Estrucan times can be accessed from the ground floor.

Fradiani cleaned and restored the caves and grottos, converting the spaces into a meditation room, art gallery, wine cellar and pool with hot tub. There is also a second kitchen that leads out into an incredible traditional Italian garden set in front of a stone cliff (photo #9).

[Studio F via ArchDaily]

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F | Photo by Bob Coscarelli

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F

 

 

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Design by Patrizio Fradiani/Studio F

 

 

 

For More Info and Photos Visit ArchDaily!

 

 

 

 

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Dain Fagerholm aka “DAiN 8)” aka “I>/-|i/\/8)” is an artist currently living in Seattle, Washington. Dain works mostly with ink pens and colour dye markers and started making what he calls ‘stereographic gifs’ of his drawings in February of 2012. He was most recently award the ‘Most Mesmerizing [GIF] or [PIC] of 2012‘ by r/WoahDude.

When Dain’s not on Tumblr or drawing, he’s a volunteer dog walker at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society and the Seattle Humane Society. Apparently he also likes to tattoo himself.

Below you will find a small collection of hand drawn 3D gifs along with links to Dain’s various online profiles where he is quite active.

 

Dain Fagerholm: Blog | Tumblr (gifs) | Tumblr (personal) | Flickr | Twitter | Prints | Getty Images | Online store

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

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Artwork by Dain Fagerholm

 

 

 

Dain Fagerholm: Blog | Tumblr (gifs) | Tumblr (personal) | Flickr | Twitter | Prints | Getty Images | Online store

 

 

 

 

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The Mercedes-Benz Museum, designed by Dutch architectural design studio UNStudio, is more than just a modern exhibition space featuring over 150 vehicles. What makes it especially unique is that it houses the world's strongest artificial tornado. The showcasing venue itself is built similar to the Guggenheim with a central atrium that is viewable from the spiraling levels of the space that surrounds it. The man-made air vortex is located in this spacious central clearing, reaching from the ground floor up to the ceiling of the structure.

The tornado simulation, though an attraction in its own right, was initially created as a safety precaution in case of a fire. The whirling air system is intended to expel smoke emissions from within the building. It is said to take about 7 minutes for the 144 jets that line the interior walls to get 28 tons of smoke to whirl into a 112-foot-high tornado and escape through vents in the roof. While the establishment doesn't wish to have to use the safety measures, it has proven to be an audience attraction in Stuttgart, Germany.

Check out the video, below, to see the artificial tornado in motion.

UNStudio website
via [Twisted Sifter, Mercedes-Benz Passion]

On January 13, 2013, the National Geographic Society will celebrate its 125th anniversary. Though it's best known for its stunning wildlife photography, National Geographic is, more importantly, a leading proponent of environmental and historical conservation. This anniversary they are reaffirming their role as the the ones at the forefront of discovery and adventure. They're calling this exciting chapter: The New Age of Exploration.

Today, through these ten images, let's look back on some of the most iconic moments in time. From the poignant 1915 portrait of editor of National Geographic Gilbert H. Grosvenor's sitting beneath a giant sequoia tree to National Geographic's own Barry Bishop daring ascent of Mount Everest, these photos show just how involved National Geographic has been in shaping our history.

President and CEO of National Geographic Society John M. Fahey, Jr. said it best: "Its purpose is to inspire people to care about their planet."

In addition to it January 2013 magazine themed "The New Age of Exploration," they also have a a one-hour National Geographic Channel special spotlighting a new breed of “super explorer”; a book, “National Geographic 125 Years,” that tells the story of the Society and its many world-changing milestones and even a Google+ Hangout event featuring underwater archeologist Robert Ballard, director James Cameron anthropologist Jane Goodall. The hangout begins on January 13 at 1:00pm EST, and can be viewed on National Geographic’s Google+ page. (We love Nat Geo!)

Above: 1964 | TANZANIA
A touching moment between primatologist and National Geographic grantee Jane Goodall and young chimpanzee Flint at Tanzania’s Gombe Stream Reserve.
Photo by Hugo van Lawic

1915 | CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
Gilbert H. Grosvenor, first full-time editor of National Geographic magazine, awakens after a night spent beneath a giant sequoia tree during his first trip to California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. After this visit, he lobbied for passage of a bill that created the National Park Service in 1916.
Photo © Gilbert H. Grosvenor Collection

1938 | EGYPT
Three figures on camelback behold the pyramids of Giza.
Photo by B. Anthony Stewart

1963 | NEPAL
The first American team to summit Mount Everest in 1963 included National Geographic’s Barry Bishop.
Photo by Barry Bishop

1969 | THE MOON
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility, his visor reflecting Neil Armstrong and the lunar module Eagle. The Apollo 11 astronauts carried the National Geographic Society flag with them on their journey to the Moon.
Photo credit: NASA

1994 | BOTSWANA
Renowned wildlife filmmakers and National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert photograph an elephant at extremely close range in Botswana’s Savuti region, one of Africa’s last unspoiled wildernesses.
Photo by Beverly Joubert

1995 | INDIA
By setting off a camera trap, a female tiger captures her own image in Bandhavgarh National Park.
Photo by Michael Nichols

ANTARCTICA
An emperor penguin, outfitted with a Crittercam camera system designed by marine biologist and National Geographic staff member Greg Marshall, becomes an unwitting cameraman for a National Geographic documentary.
Photo by Greg Marshall

COCOS ISLAND, COSTA RICA
Marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala dives with a green turtle off Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Sala leads National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project, which aims to find, survey and help protect the last healthy and undisturbed places in the ocean.
Photo by Octavio Aburto

UGANDA
A lion climbs a tree to sleep, in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth Park.
Photo by Joel Sartore

National Geographic's website

Over the last year or so, there's been a rise in really clever street art in places all over the world. Today, we've rounded up 10 of the best (plus 2 extra we had to throw in). From the amazing freehand graffiti piece by Bart Smeets of a shark trapped inside a column to Be Free's whimsical stencil of a young girl doodling on the streets, these all stood out both for their uniqueness and for the artists' smart and thoughtful approach and execution. Who isn't blown away by Sokram's painting of a huge snake slithering through the windows and door of an old house? Street art has never been more exciting!

Above credit: Sokram (Ordes, Spain)

Credit: Bart Smates Smeets (Neerpede, Belgium)

Credit: Martin Whatson (Paris, France)

Credit: DOLK (Fukushima, Japan)

Credit: Martin Ron (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Credit: Smug (Glasgow, Scotland)

Credit:David Zinn (Hilton Elementary School, Brighton, MI)

Credit: MTO (Rennes, France)

Credit: Shaka (Melun, France)

Credit: Be Free (Adelaide, Australia)

Credit: Aakash Nihalani (New York)

Credit: Vinie

 

Michael Grab is an artist that has been ‘rock balancing‘ since 2008. Much of his recent work has been done around the Boulder, Colorado area. Grab finds the process both spiritual and therapeutic. On his site gravityglue.com, Grab explains:

“The most fundamental element of balancing in a physical sense is finding some kind of ‘tripod’ for the rock to stand on. Every rock is covered in a variety of tiny to large indentations that can act as a tripod for the rock to stand upright, or in most orientations you can think of with other rocks. By paying close attention to the feeling of the rocks, you will start to feel even the smallest clicks as the notches of the rocks in contact are moving over one another.
 
Parallel to the physical element of finding tripods, the most fundamental non-physical element is harder to explain through words. In a nutshell, I am referring to meditation, or finding a zero point or silence within yourself. Some balances can apply significant pressure on your mind and your patience. The challenge is overcoming any doubt that may arise.”

 

On gravityglue you will find an extensive gallery of his work along with videos, an in-depth interview and an active blog about his thoughts that accompany his work.

[via Colossal]

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

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Artwork and Photography by Michael Grab @ GravityGlue.com

 

 

 

See More from Michael Grab at GravityGlue.com!

 

 

 

 

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New Zealander and recent civil engineering graduate Daniel Gray travelled north to Edmonton, Canada to spend five weeks with his girlfriend and her parents for the holidays. To keep him occupied (and perhaps test his resolve) his girlfriend’s mother thought it might be a fun idea to build an igloo. Little did Daniel know, but preparation had begun months ago, as his girlfriend’s mom, Brigid, had started a collection campaign for milk cartons.

After collecting a few hundred, they filled each one with water and some food colouring, creating ice-coloured bricks. In lieu of mortar, Daniel used ‘snowcrete’, a simple mixture of snow and water to bond the bricks together. The project took over 150 hours and 500 ice bricks to complete. The results were pretty awesome. You can find a full recap and video segment by Global Edmonton. The story also blew-up on Reddit yesterday, reaching the front page and top spot for a period of time. The entire 18-picture gallery of the build process can be seen on Imgur.

[via daniboi22 on Reddit]

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

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Photograph by Daniel Gray

 

 

 

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French street artist Dran uses his art to comment on issues concerning contemporary society. Being donned "the French Banksy" by some, his approach to street art is similar to the English graffiti artist in tone and message. Dran utilizes his dark sense of humor to criticize modern culture, often tackling topics concerning art, creativity, and the freedom of expression. These recurring themes in Dran's works are often depicted through children equipped with crayons.

The artist brings to light the naturally imaginative mind of children while questioning the suppression and imprisonment of such creativity. Dran also criticizes social issues including the modern era's rise in failed marriages, the inability of couples to connect to one another despite sharing an intimate bed, environmental destruction paving the way for more condos, overconsumption and waste. Each hard-hitting issue is presented in its own whimsical manner while retaining its heavy message. Dran is definitely an urban artist to keep your eyes on!

Dran website
via [Adrifts, Spencer Hickman, Marie Aschehoug-Clauteaux, Land of Sunshine]

 

Hikaru Cho is a Japanese artist whose 3D body paintings have been circulating online as of late. With acrylic paints, Cho uses the human body as her canvas; painting zippers, laces and buttons directly onto our skin as if they were a garment. She also adds sockets and plugs to our bodies to make it seem like we’re cyborgs.

You can find Hikaru’s entire portfolio on her flavors.me site as well as Tumblr and Facebook.

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

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Artwork by Hikaru Cho

 

 

Hikaru Cho: Website | Tumblr | Facebook

 

 

 

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Anamorphic 3D Drawings by Ramon Bruin