Artificial Russia
What is it with these big fake islands that look like things from the air? We’ve had palm trees, a map of the world, and now an island that looks like Russia! Particularly annoying is that these edifices are only appreciated from above, and maybe in the sales pitch, but certainly not as you approach. This time a very accomplished Dutch Architect, Erick van Egeraat, is the designer and one wonders how he became involved in this seemingly unoriginal and ridiculously opulent gesture. Anyway, it’s called Federation Island and is a 330ha artificial archipelago in the shape of Russia, to be built in the Black Sea near Sochi and completed in time for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Apparently Vladimir Putin inquired about technical details and construction time. Erik van Egeraat assured him that the Dutch, more than anyone else, knew how to reclaim land from the sea. The question is why?
Tagged: Russia
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Back in the Soviet Bloc documentary project
Over the past six months we’ve featured photos from filmmakers Stuart McBratney and Julia Nalivaiko, who’ve been gallivanting around Russia and Ukraine filming Back in the Soviet Bloc. They’ve finally released a trailer, and it’s amazing to see these images come to life. Check it out on their Kickstarter page, and order a DVD to help them complete the project.
Back in the Soviet Bloc: photos of Russia and Ukraine
A month ago we posted stills from Back in the Soviet Bloc, a TV series about present-day life, culture and food in former Soviet states. Read more
Inflatable sex dolls get ridden like boats in Russian race
From the ‘are we serious’ files comes this remarkable Sex Doll race held on the Vuoksa River Rapids, just out of St. Petersburg. Around 800 people turned up to watch the proceedings in which competitors raced each other on their dolls in a three minute dash for fame, glory, and all the attention that an admiring gaggle of plastic dolls could muster. [photos via dimoxod.livejournal.com] Read more
Also by SNELL
This house has many facets that make it an intriguing example. First of all, it is a very aesthetically pleasing project with the use of light horizontal timbers and a clean pitched roof. Designed by MOS, an interesting design collective based in America, the secret to the Floating House is that it floats on a structure of steel pontoons. The house rises and falls with the changing waters and is frozen in place depending on the season. The steel pontoons were constructed first and towed to the lake outside the contractor’s factory and then the house was built atop of it. When finished it was towed to its position, anchored and enjoyed in its unique position. Finally, it forms a bridge between the land and an island. Wonderful!
Dutch uber-firm OMA, headed by Rem Koolhaas, has created this concept in Mexico City to symbolize the coming two hundred years of Mexico’s independence. There are many layers of symbolism in this building, from Mayan pyramids to which part of the building controls the park and which part controls the city, to the fact that the bulge of the building is below the centre height, and that it all happens on a relatively small footprint. Most of all, in this building there is a barely contained energy that seems near to release and it may be that this is what Torre Bicentenario represents.
The Danes are renowned for their considered and subtle design. However, in these times of change, they must feel they need something with this selection of a bridge building as the winner of a recent architectural competition in Denmark. The American architect Steven Holl designed this building with a pedestrian bridge that links two sides of the harbour in the distinctly low-rise Copenhagen. Read more
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Funnily enough, my introduction to the work of artist and illustrator J. Otto Seibold was through a Norstrom holiday display many years back. The entire store was bedecked in Olive the Other Reindeer regalia. It took me forever to part with my Olive the Reindeer shopping bags, so when I later discovered that Olive was, in fact, a recurring story book character (not simply some character fabricated solely for the holiday display), I was pretty psyched and have been a fan of all the ragtag J. Otto Seibold characters and books ever since.
Personally, I think it’s difficult for family photos to not be a bit stilted and weird, but Awkward Family Photos manages to post truly baffling images of badly dressed, strangely posed, and generally weird-looking clans as they wish to be remembered. Read more
The issue of abortion has hardly ever been represented so honestly by a movie. Knocked Up and Juno gave the pro-choice movement a boost, and of those two, only Juno came close to confronting the issue. In the Princess of Nebraska, the main character suffers through indecision, naivety and turmoil that seem much closer to reality. Read more
This is a house near Adelaide by architect Max Pritchard designed like a bridge (it’s actually built over a creek) to feel airy and unobtrusive in the surrounding nature. Read more
Illustrator and artist John Malloy has been working on a graphic novel called Channel One and, without wanting to sound too much like Paris Hilton, it’s looking pretty damn hot. Update! As of July 2009, John Malloy has aborted the graphic novel Channel One to focus more on other projects, including his autobiographical graphic novel, Queasy. Stay tuned for details. Read more
Lush was one of the best bands to come out of the indie-tastic early ’90s. They set the standard for shoegazey, ethereal pop from the British Isles, and they were about to break big with their 1996 album Lovelife before drummer Chris Acland hanged himself in his parents’ home. The band is a bit of a forgotten gem at this point. Let’s cross our fingers for a reunion.
Now this is fun. This 3D watch dial actually jumps to life. The dial is a modern version of the 19th century art form of lithophanes: carved porcelain sheets that, when lit, deliver astoundingly detailed images. When the pusher is activated, the dial springs to life in 3D, with an LED light and afterglow effect.
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
Communication prosthesis by Sascha Nordmeyer
This ‘communication prosthesis’ by designer Sascha Nordmeyer is hilarious and awesome. I want to wear one to a job interview.
Honest Food Preparation Instructions
Yes, we’ve all been there: the chinese food from last week that still looks edible amongst the bare surrounds of an empty fridge. But really, we shouldn’t. Just let it be. Or College Humor will expose you! Read more
Here are a couple awesome pieces by Matt Leines that were recently on display in the Doubting Thomases exhibit at Nudashank gallery in Baltimore. Gives me ideas for Halloween. Read more
Francoise Nielly’s Yellow series
Parisian visual artist Francoise Nielly brings technicolour to the forefront in her latest series, Yellow. Featuring thick impasto palette knife strokes and trippy neon hues, Nielly captures the vulnerable expressions of her muses to a tee. Read more
How ’bout this Jose Manuel Hortelano-Pi guy, huh? Quite the illustrator, yessiree Bob. From Spain, too. Spain is great! Read more
French unisex customized army jackets, each one is slightly different and unique. Embroidered by hand in Berlin with hands and microphone lead logo. As worn by Pixie Geldof. Yup! It is. Read more
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