Switchgrass derived bioplastics
With the growing recognition that petroleum-based plastics are killing the planet and giving us cancer comes an increasing interest in biodegradable bioplastics that come from more sustainable sources. Environmental tech company Metabolix recently announced that they have discovered a way to derive large amounts of bioplastic by growing it in switchgrass. The company uses the plant to create its own line of plastic, Mirel, which it hopes will supplant traditional plastics in the years to come.
Tagged: environmentalism
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Floating platform for water purification
Have you ever thought about how much energy you might be wasting just using your muscles to move your body? Well, Jakub Szczęsny from Warsaw clearly has. He has decided to collect the energy of people exercising outdoors by building, in conjunction with a group of engineers and the team the FunBec.eu foundation, a synchronised floating platform for water purification. Exercise would put the purification process into motion. Simple, clever, brilliant!
Rainwater tanks are here to stay. Not only is the general populace turning to them as the realization sinks in that water is a scarce resource, but they are also being legislated by government at all levels. The unfortunate problem is that the vast majority are not the most attractive additions to the built environment, particularly the latest round of polypropylene models, which are mostly big beige blobs. Read more
British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy uses found materials to make his site-specific pieces. A devout environmentalist, his work aims to draw out the impermanent yet ethereal character of the spaces in which they are placed. Read more
Also by GERRY MAK
Anatomical cross-sections made from Japanese tissue paper
Lisa Nilsson’s Tissue Series consists of anatomical cross-sections made from Japanese mulberry paper and the gilded edges of old books. Read more
Designed by Patrick Jouffret of French design studion agency 360, this unisex bicycle helmet folds up into a compact shape small enough to fit in your purse or backpack, so you’re not left wondering what to do with it after you’ve locked up your bike.
Millennium Falcon fort built for young leukemia patient
Christian, a nine-year-old leukemia patient, wished for a backyard fort shaped like the Millennium Falcon. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted his wish. Read more
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OMG I love BMD. When I first saw the work of BMD I almost crashed my car. After moving to Auckland from Melbourne, I had thought my days of seeing kick arse street art were over. How wrong I was! BMD is one of a number of very talented folks painting on the streets of New Zealand. Also check out Seekayem and Flox. Read more
While paper eyelashes may not be the most practical accessory, I’m finding it hard to resist these exquisitely cut pieces by Paperself. They’re tiny pieces of art for your eyes. Read more
Heavy metal and hip-hop are perhaps the most popular forms of rebellion for kids the world over. In Malaysia, metal — particularly black metal — has taken such a strong hold that the Fatwa Council there banned it, fearing that the music would compel listeners to rebel against religion. Contrary to the council’s intentions, black metal is as popular as ever in Malaysia, and is a recognizable cultural touchstone there, as indicated by the above clip from the 2005 film Filem Rock.
For a lark, I spent last night cruising Worth Street in West Palm Springs, Florida, the longest, cleanest, most deserted street I’ve ever seen, which is jammed with a string of high-class stores, flogging everything from travel jewellery (for the terrified billionaire), to sweaters and blazers in every colour imaginable. That’s right, who said The Rich had poor taste?
Designer Haik Avanian has set up a website through which you can send an old sweater for his mom to reknit into a new item. Seeing as he only has one mom, not all orders can be filled, but you can keep trying.
Have you ever felt engulfed by a strange mix of emotions, ones which make you feel all giddy? Well, that’s what this track — Not For All The Love In the World — does to me. French pop-folk extraordinaire Sebastian Tellier remixes Irish pop band The Thrills. Totally luscious and dreamy, especially the glockenspiel sound. Beautiful stuff.
The latest in the Stephanie Simek jewellery collection is the Powder necklace, a pearlized Turbo Cinereus shell with tiny holes drilled into the bottom and filled with a sparkling silver-colored powder. Read more
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.
It’s refreshing to see artists like Joe Kievitt who are contented to explore the beauty in simple forms and asymmetrical patterns. Read more
Mathematics? Leave me out. Fashematics? Now you’re talking! This gem of a site is a runway equation that adds up to a whole lot of wonderful.
Christoph Niemann illustrates a nightmare flight
New York Times illustrator Christoph Niemann has created a brilliant visual diary outlining the peril and pitfalls that beset the everyday passenger based on his recent experience flying from New York to his home town of Berlin. Read more
A little infectious lollipop rock anyone? Feel free to embarrass yourself singing along at the stoplight. If the other drivers give you that look, roll down the windows and spread the love.
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We love the re-Issue of the original Raised by Wolves and Furni digital watch collaboration, which comes with a built-in phone book, stopwatch, countdown timer and multiple alarm features with melody setting. Read more
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