The work of legendary photographer Rodney Smith looks as if it where born out of an earlier era, which makes sense because it is created with the techniques of the past. Forgoing the ease of modern digital methods, Smith uses only real film to create his subtly surreal images, full of classic gentlemen in suits and fedoras, women in long gowns… and a distinct lack of stable physics. He uses black and white for most of his moody pictures, which have the unique quality of being at once romantic and at the same time slightly un-nerving. Often captured spur of the moment, the images lack much of the preparation or post-processing associated with works by similar artists. Instead, he relies upon his keen eye for bold shapes and subject placement, creating images that are captivating in their simplicity. [Read more...]
What Your Luggage Says About You
People have vastly different styles, and the way they pack their bags and carry their luggage can be equally as different. A hippie cruising through the airport with just a journal and a guitar will obviously utilize different bags than a business traveler on a three day trip to New York City. With all of these different strategies to get your belongings from point A to point B, this infographic asks the question: What does your luggage say about you? [Read more...]
TED-Ed: Bringing Hundreds of Classrooms Home
Teachers are an amazing resource to all of us, helping us to understand everything from mathematics to the mysteries of the universe. But while some are lucky enough to have wonderful, educated teachers in their life, the actual reach of those individual teachers is quite small… much of the time only as big as a classroom. How can this small influence be broadened? How can we make these incredible lessons more accessible to all? Enter the newest chapter in the TED saga: TED-Ed. [Read more...]
Gorgeous Geeky Art with An Electronic Beat
If there is one theme that pervades the fantastic artwork of painter Aaron Jasinski, it’s music. It’s not too surprising when you consider that he not only grew up surrounded by his family of musicians, but he now mixes some very excellent electronic beats himself — from ambient to dubstep. His works hit as many high notes as his music, with loads of pop culture references mingling with nostalgia, social commentary and even whimsical creatures… all rendered with what he calls a “Technicolor” palette. Each work seems to tell a complete story, easily standing on its own and drawing us in to his beautiful, if not geeky world. [Read more...]
Invisible Children + Resolve: The LRA Crisis Tracker
The Invisible Children organization has set the internet ablaze this week with their newest KONY 2012 video — which went viral on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook — and has succeeded in its goal of making African war criminal, Joseph Kony, famous. From celebrity backers — Oprah, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, and Rhianna to name a few — Twitter updates, long winded Facebook rants, and critical assessments by Yale sociology professors, everyone is talking about it; and the reaction has been both good and bad. [Read more...]
Clever Hidden Meanings in Miniature Sculptures
Just what does an electric space heater have to do with a stuffed parakeet? By closely observing the interactions between the apparently dissimilar found objects in artist Nancy Fouts’ miniature sculptures, the meaning may start to reveal itself. The many paradoxical comparisons in her works aren’t always quick to divulge their secrets, but when you see them, they will surprise you with their creativity and often charged messages. [Read more...]
The Birth, Life and Death of a Soldier… As Told by a Hand
Sometimes we find ourselves impressed by the simple things in life, the things that when done correctly become highly moving and meaningful… take hand puppetry for example. It’s not everyday that we run across a video of a painted hand, complete with plastic googly eyes, and find ourselves deeply moved, but that’s exactly what this video “Fine” has done. A tribute to the great sacrifices soldiers around the world pay for their dedication to home and country, Italian filmmaker Virgilio Villoresi’s expressive hand gestures take us through the life of a solder, from his hopeful birth to his ultimate demise in combat. [Read more...]
James Cameron is a Badass, and Not Because of Movies
:THE INCREDIBLE HUMAN SERIES: click here to see more from the series
You heard it. James Cameron is much more than just a movie producer/director, he is a serious badass. We all know him today for the big movies like Terminator, Avatar and Titanic, but he is leaving the world of make believe soon. Actually he left it a while ago, but his new expedition is his biggest yet. [Read more...]
Storytelling Through Wood Panels
Lynn Ward was an American artist and storyteller that lived from 1905-1985. Throughout his life as an artist, he is most well known for his wood panel engravings. The works, which were entirely without any text, tell visually moving stories. The originals, which date back to 1929, are regarded are some of the first examples of the graphic novel and Ward is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the form. [Read more...]













