Author Archives: cicada

More Awe, Please

Posted on December 27, 2013 by cicada

Last year I posted this essay on the awe-inducing power of murmurations, in which I mused on the relationship between awe and fear: When I’m lucky enough to witness dramatic natural phenomena (or even something as quotidian as an undiluted, … Continue reading →

Posted in Awe, Data Visualization, Neuroscience, Yikes! | Comments Off

Jennifer Steen Booher: the wonder of found objects

Posted on November 29, 2013 by cicada

Seaglass Spectrum: Aquamarine to Emerald Jennifer Steen Booher Assemblage artist and photographer Jennifer Steen Booher collects, arranges, and photographs found objects.  Her arrays of beach glass resemble abstract art, or pages from illustrated catalogs of Renaissance wonder cabinets, while household … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Ephemera, Wonder Cabinets | Comments Off

Hallelujah, Detroit!

Posted on October 21, 2013 by cicada

Detroit-area musician Jeffrey Adam Gutt appeared on Simon Cowell’s talent show X-Factor last year, auditioning with a riveting version of Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” I don’t know if it’s better described as the broken howl of a faded rock star, or the … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Film, Video & Music | Comments Off

Are there moths in the Uncanny Valley?

Posted on October 20, 2013 by cicada

I love this meditative video. . . until the moth. It’s a skillful animation, but I feel like it’s going to start dancing with its little legs, singing “What the Moth Says.” Is this a case of insectoid Uncanny Valley? … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Ephemera, Film, Video & Music | Comments Off

Lewis Tardy: Skeletal Metal

Posted on October 20, 2013 by cicada

I recently saw some of Lewis Tardy’s work at a show, and was impressed by the visual impact of his metal automatons against a dark background (particularly the moving pieces). While it’s difficult to call his sleek, modern chrome pieces … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Conspicuous consumption, DC Area Events | Comments Off

Kate Lacour: challenging the Codex Seraphinianus in the category of surreal, faux-anatomical weirdness

Posted on October 10, 2013 by cicada

When Kate Lacour sent me a link to her tumblr, sharkbrains (subtitle: “Body horror beauty – art and comics”), I didn’t know quite what to expect. What I found was delightful – a modern successor to the Codex Seriphinianus.

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Blogs and Blogging, Ephemera, Medical Illustration and History, Uncategorized, Wonder Cabinets, Yikes! | Comments Off

PopSci: “Comments can be bad for science”

Posted on September 24, 2013 by cicada

Popular Science just announced that they’re turning off reader comments on at least some science articles: It wasn’t a decision we made lightly. As the news arm of a 141-year-old science and technology magazine, we are as committed to fostering … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Department of the Drama, Science in culture & policy, Science Journalism, Web 2.0, New Media, and Gadgets | Comments Off

Call for Artwork: U.S. State Dep’t Marine Debris Art Challenge

Posted on September 23, 2013 by cicada

Have you made artwork out of marine debris? The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans & International Environmental & Scientific Affairs is inviting submissions to the “Marine Debris Art Challenge” (hosted at flickr). Entries must: list your country, specify … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Education, Events, Science in culture & policy, Uncategorized | Comments Off

October 5: NYC Festival of Medical History and the Arts

Posted on September 23, 2013 by cicada

Due to some very unfortunate trip planning on my part, I will be on the other side of the country when some of my favorite people appear at the Festival of Medical History and the Arts in three weeks. Don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Education, Events, History of Science, Medical Illustration and History, Science in culture & policy | Comments Off

“Meat the Future”: The In Vitro Meat Cookbook

Posted on September 22, 2013 by cicada

It’s a book of recipes that you can’t cook . . . yet! Those diehard dietary techno-optimists over at NextNature are preparing a speculative “In Vitro Meat Cookbook” to explore the outer bounds of what one might make from in … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Books, Design, Film, Video & Music, Science in culture & policy, Yikes! | Comments Off