Tuesday, July 19, 2011

back to basics - zim and zou

source: colossal
Just when I think I've seen the most creative paper replicas, the France-based duo of Zim and Zou go above and beyond by recreating revolutionary technologies that are now outdated.

While the colors are playful, the pieces themselves are stunningly accurate and extremely detailed. Multiple layers of paper help to bring these objects to life by creating dimension and texture while the color scheme gives birth to a unified collection of nostalgia.

From Walkman to floppy disk, the Back to Basics series is created using sustainable paper and even the smallest of scraps. I particularly love the seams on the Nintendo controller and the floppy disk, which really make them seem like they are still formed from two pieces of molded plastic.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

etch-a-sketch ipad cover

I am fairly confident that I won't be purchasing an iPad anytime soon, or maybe even ever, but if I did I would want this case.

New technology meets nostalgia? Yes, please.

You can find it at fredflare.com.

devour - christopher jonassen

source: junkculture.
It would be an absolute understatement to say that I think these pieces by Christopher Jonassen are amazing. From the concept to the exicution to the message, I think this is my favorite set of art work I have seen so far this year. When you first look at this set of images, you see distant planets in a dark galaxy, but in reality, you're actually looking at the bottoms of old frying pans.

Ingeniously exploring the ware and tare of a frequently used object, Jonassen comments on the destruction and lifespan of not only frying pans, but also our world. A pan is an object that gets used frequently, but is just as often overlooked. In the same way, our planet is so often seen as something we can use, and yet have little effect on. These photographs are stunning, but what really makes them memorable is their message: we can't keep using the earth for our own devices and expect it to remain brand new.

jaakko mattila

cube 2008
When I see work that is as visually stunning as these pieces by Jaakko Mattila, I can't help but think about what the pieces would look like if I had been the one to create them. In this case, I know that would never have been able to accomplish this, solely based on the fact that I have never been able to completely understand how to incorporate a background into piece. It sounds fairly simple, but in reality I always feel like I end up with some disconnect.

What I find the most appealing about these two pieces in particular is how the 'background' is so thoroughly incorporated into the composition that it becomes essential to the success of the piece, and yet, is still basically just negative space. For example, in Fallout 2009, it's as if the white 'stalagmites' are fading into a black background, while at the same time the black 'stalactites' are hanging over a white background. And in Cube 2008, you do not merely see colorful dots on top of white background, but instead a total environment of colorful dots interacting with the light and each other. In this way, the audience feels as if they are getting a glimpse of a living world, rather than a representation of a fixed environment.
fallout 2009