French artist Thomas Mailaender ‘sunburns’ old photographs onto human bodies. In his new book “Illustrated People”, he applied 23 original negatives from Modern Conflict’s archive onto the skin of models, before projecting a powerful UV lamp over them. The result reveals a fleeting picture on the skin’s surface (burned in), which he then photographs before it fades in the sunlight.
Brooklyn artist Lydia Cambron has decided to recreate those vandalized billboards in the subway in NYC. She applies makeup to match the ad and photographs herself for a new series called Makeup Transit Authority. Who’s to say where your next inspiration may come from? You can see more on her portfolio at: http://lydiacambron.com/
British artist Tim Knowles takes plein-air performance art literally with his poetic and uncomplicated Tree Drawings created by the branch tips of living trees. Using simple drawing tools attached as freehand extensions to the tips of tree branches and in collaboration with the wind and local weather conditions, calligraphic gestures and automatic drawing readings are recorded on paper. Knowles claims that there is an unmistakable signature that each drawing reveals as an indication of the unique characteristics and even genus/species of a specific tree. See more including the gallery installation on his website here.
Originally a cake designer, Maria A. Aristidou’s paintings have been getting noticed not just for their subject matter but for what she uses to paint with. Instead of watercolors, she uses different roasts of coffee, sometimes from different roasters as well. She says, “Each brew has its own (qualities), and I choose accordingly to what shade, mark, splatter I need to achieve. That may be an Americano or an espresso. But my favorite is Greek coffee, in terms of taste, quality, and the effect it gives out.” Watch her work in hyperlapse here.
Artist Salavat Fidai has crafted a series of miniature sculptures from the ends of graphite pencils. An Oscar trophy, Batman (shown here), Darth Vader, and a graffiti can, among other pop culture references, all painstakingly hand carved from the lead of a pencil to make an impressive collection. He also paints pumpkin seeds, just check out his Behance site here.
Brazilian Illustrator Butcher Billy brings us some of our favorite 80’s Goth and New Wave singers drawn as classic Marvel superheros. He has Siouxsie Sioux as Scarlet Witch, Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo as Iron Man, John Lydon from his PiL days as Wolverine, and Ian Curtis from Joy Division as Spider-Man, but this is hilarious – Morrissey as the Incredible Hulk! See them all and buy prints on his website here.
World-renown sculpture Anish Kapoor has created a seemingly endless water vortex in the middle of a gallery. His latest work for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (India’s first biennale for contemporary art being held in Kochi). No surprise one of the festival’s biggest draws is this new work entitled ‘Descension’, created especially for the event. Vistors can veer down into the swirling black water where it seems to drop forever into a hole in the floor.
Japanese artist Haroshi has an art show opening tomorrow at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery in NYC. His sculpture exhibit is entitled “Still Pushing Despite The Odds” and is a must see. With no formal art training, this passionate skateboarder adapted the determined perseverance, freedom of expression and DIY ethos of skate culture, creating works of art from cut up used skateboards. Click through more of his previous work on his site here.
Here’s a new Tumblr you’ll want to follow, it’s called Ikea b4-XVI . Creator Celcilia Azcarate seems to have a talent for finding Ikea items in 16th Century artwork. She likes to call it: “Tips and tricks to redecorate your house, all from before 1650.” And you thought Ikea was modern.
Artist David Bowen rigged up a robotic sculpture that translates the sky’s cloud cover into a musical piece. Made for an upcoming solo exhibition at L’assaut de la Menuiserie in Saint-Etienne, France, Bowen had software written to interpret cloud video mapped onto a keyboard and then read in a series of whites for clouds (sound) and blues for blue sky (no sound). Tempo and rhythm is determined by how quickly the clouds are moving. The mood of the music, too, is based on how the clouds pass through the sky. If the clouds are moving one way, say north to south, the piano plays a cheery tune; but if the wind switches directions, the sound becomes dark and moody. “I never really thought of it as music,” he says. “I’ve always thought of it as a sound installation more than anything.” That randomness is part of the charm, really. Watch the video here.
James Obando 