Category Archives: Artists & Art

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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

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 →

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“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 →

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Michelle Schaefer: Encaustic Nebulae

Posted on September 15, 2013 by cicada

Michelle Schaefer The Constant Observer Michelle Schaefer‘s booth caught my eye at a recent art festival. From across the street, I was immediately drawn to the strong contrast between deep darks and fiery reds and yellows in her work — contrasts that … Continue reading →

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A few design links: curvilinear copper bird feeder, spiny vodka, and type hunting

Posted on September 12, 2013 by cicada

This gorgeous copper birdfeeder, which is hands-down the most elegant bird feeder I’ve ever seen, was designed “by a Swiss-trained metal craftsman. Together with his wife, he developed the piece’s unique curvilinear form by using cardboard paper.” (seen at Better … Continue reading →

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Jewelled skeletons: how Damien Hirst was scooped 500 years ago

Posted on September 9, 2013 by cicada

Remember when bad-boy artist Damien Hirst got all that press for covering a human skull in diamonds? According to a new book by Paul Koudounaris, Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs, he was about 500 years … Continue reading →

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