Nate Page's Carved Magazines


Modern artists never ceased to amaze me. Especially when they play around with everyday mundane objects like this one (magazines), or like Vhils did (with the brick wall, battered wall, doors, etc). Because the media is such an ordinary everyday objects, its always fascinates me how they can turn these mundane creation into such an amusing beauty.

Maybe that's why we called them "Artist". :P

via http://beautifuldecay.com/2009/08/15/nate-page/

Guernica by Pablo Picasso


The above image, as you can already see in the posting title, is Guernica, by Pablo Picasso.

What feeling does the painting evoke you?

For me, honestly, nothing. :P And it doesn't help that the image is very small, while the actual painting is meant to be seen in its actual grandeur of 3.5 meter and 7.8 meter wide. I don't really understand paintings. So that's why I don't usually feature paintings in this blog. And it's really hard for me to understand this Pablo Picasso's masterpiece in the above.

According to Wikipedia, Guernica shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace.

This painting can be seen in the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. Picasso's purpose in painting it, was to bring to the world's attention the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by German bombers, who were supporting the Nationalist forces of General Franco during the Spanish Civil War.

Anyway, enough with the background.

Below, however, is a clever way to make us amateur art enthusiasts to actually be able to capture what Picasso really means with his painting, and to make us see the details that usually would be just skipped at the first glance. And to really appreciate the masterpiece. :)

Enjoy!

Video of the Day : What is That? by Constantin Pilavios

A beautiful short movie that I'd definitely have to share with everyone. :) Remember to love your parents people! :)

Adventure of the GoodLorax : Phuket

So, this is our honeymoon trip, 5 months late. :P

But like the wise old men said, better be late than never. :D So .., here we are.

DAY ONE


After only 2 hours of sleep, we arrived at Phuket at 8.25 AM.

And followed by an episode of literally running away from all the taxi drivers offering a rip-off ride for 500-1000 baht; we decided to go out of the Phuket Airport and try to find one car rental company located right opposite of the Airport and compare the prices.

And thank God we found it.

Right in front of the Entry & Exit way of the Airport, already you can see rows of car rental offices, so you`d have a lot of choices. Another good thing about renting a car from the car rental near the Airport is that you can save money either for the taxi to & from the Airport to your Hotel (500-1000 baht, equal to 1 day rent :P); and also money for the delivery and pick up service (so yes, you can have the car delivered/ picked up to your hotel but there will be a fee for that. But sometimes it`s also different for each rental company, and how can you negotiate with them.

Anyway, we picked the car rental called World Car Rental, and the guy who serves us is a bored looking young man called "O". :D I already feel like in a James Bond or MIB movie already. With characters named "J", or "K", or "M"; but here we got an "O". :D

We rent the cheapest car available; a silver Nissan NV, 2 seats, 1600 cc, manual, that looked pretty nice if you look at it from the side, but if you look at it from front, behind or or the inside, you'll know right away why we got that car for only 600 baht a day! :D

After a brief checking on the car's physique, "O" continues to "wash" the car. He splattered the soapy water and scrub-scrub-scrub-spray-wipe; and voila! The car is still half wet and soapy :D, but what the heck. We can't wait to explore the island and meet all the adventures that awaits to embrace us ahead.

So, just stepping into the land of Phuket, not knowing which way to go and just rely ourselves on the basic map we get from the Airport, we start our journey to this beautiful island with the Nissan NV.

First destination, the Hotel. :D Banyan Tree Phuket.

According to O, the way to Banyan Tree is pretty straightforward, and it is! All the main roads are recognised by numbers, so it will be so much easier for us to recognise the road sign to check are we already at the right track or not. The only problem is when we already inside the hotel area, because it`s sooooo big and there are few other hotels, private residences and resorts inside, we got confused along the way. Anyway, we can still manage and after a few wrong turns and asking around, we finally reach our destination.




The staff was very friendly, and I LOOOOOVE the welcome drink (some sweet & refreshing tea colored herbal drink). And the check in process is breezy, and all is done while we sit comfortably in our lounge chair sipping our delicious drink and wipe ourselves with the cold wet fresh scented towel. Sooo.. nice. :)

After resting for a few hours, we decided to go out and buy ourselves some dinner. We stopped at some local weekend market near Kamala Beach and was rewarded with a very satisfyingly cheap and delicious durian (70 baht or S$ 3 for 2.8 kg of durian!!) and also a nice dinner of fried chicken and sticky rice.


DAY TWO

The next day, Hubby and me went bike riding around the resort area, and rest at the beach. It was a pleasant journey, although I got a sore butt the next day. :P After that we`re off to exploring the island! :)

#1st destination; Central Festival Mall
The Cental Festival Mall located just a few km out of the old town Phuket. For me, checking out the Mall is a must to see how the `modern` people this area live. It`s also part of the cultural excursion. And Hubby found out that the price for Nikon SLR is cheaper by S$ 300 than the Indonesian price; and I also learn that BB is also currently very popular in Thailand; but no one is selling the cheap knock-off yet.

#2nd destination; Wat Chalong




As part of our cultural excursion, visiting the temple is a must. Wat Chalong is quite a popular ones. There are 3 temples in the vicinity, along with other smaller buildings. And you can ask the guardian to burn a chinese fire cracker for you to bring good luck and to chase away the evil spirit.




#3rd destination; Rawai Beach



From Wat Chalong we wanted to see the sunset from the best sunset lookout point; the Phrom Thep Cape. But when we almost reach the area, the sun is still high (it`s 4pm). So we decided to stop in the nearby beach, the Rawai Beach, to rest and wait for almost sunset. So Hubby took this opportunity to take a siesta, because driving from top corner to the other far corner of Phuket was very tiring. :P



#4th destination; Phrom Thep Cape


Approaching sunset time, we arrived at Phrom Thep Cape. A place where we can see the best sunset in Phuket, with Andaman Sea and its islands as the foreground. After climbing 3 flights of stairs (a very easy one for someone who took 3-8 flights of steps everyday :P), we finally got there.




#5th destination; Chao Fa Weekend Market

Satisfied with the beautiful sunset, we`re off to our next destination; the Chao Fa Weekend Market. This is a very interesting market selling unbelievably cheap well-designed t-shirts (100 Baht/ S$ 4.5 each!!); and also very cute tanktops at 100 Baht for 3!!!

Hubby also buy some shirts here; and also a cheap baseball cap at 200 Baht. The seller recommends us to go to a weekdays market at the Karon Beach, where it has more selections artworks and Thai souvenirs.

So that`s our next destination for the next day. :) Before going home, we bought 1/2 kg of steamed crabs (no shell) with rice & separate chilli sauce. We eat it in our room and it tasted soooo.. good! :D I never thought that a simple steamed crabs can taste this good, but it is! The meat is so sweet and fresh.



And that concludes our journey for the day. :D

DAY THREE

The next day, we start our day by trying out the pool with all the hydro features; airbeds, swan necks, cross current pool. And was given a complimentary cold water spray mixed with peppermint oil. It`s heavenly!!
Absolutely LOVE it!


And with a promise of trying out the Jacuzzi when we`re back from our day trip, we`re heading out to our first destination.

#1st destination; Patong Beach

We stopped at the Patong Beach because Hubby wants to take a swim at the ocean. The sun is blazing hot.

And I just sat under a shade while Hubby checks out the wave and other facilities (showers). After checking the shower and decided that it`s not adequate to his liking; we went back inside the car and wanted to go see another nearby beach. But sadly, the engine won`t start. Hubby already tried everything, even pushing the car, but nothing works. So we decided not to make the unfortunate events spoiled our mood and leave the troubles to O. O`s men came 1 hour later and get us another car. So then we can continue our journey to Karon Beach.

#2nd destination; Karon Shopping Plaza & Karon Beach



It`s almost sunset when we reach Karon, and everything in the shopping plaza (actually more of a big complex of shops with no aircon and no paved corridors) is soo cheap. I finally get my 100 baht bikini and a lovely gold leaf gilded cho fa for only 350 baht.
Back at the Hotel, we turn on the Jacuzzi and joyfully enjoying the pleasures of the water theraphy in our bodies. :)

DAY FOUR

The next morning we checked out from the Hotel, went straight back to the car rental office, handed over the car back to O and crossed the street towards the Airport. It`s been a wonderful journey and we`re having one of the best times of our lives. :):):)

And we`ll definitely want to do it again sometime in the future. :)

Pee in the Shower! Save the Atlantic Forest!

So here's another SUPER CUTE video of a Brazilian ad campaign done by Saatchi & Saatchi, to promote Xixi no Banho, or, Pee in the Shower. :D
Veery cheeky. I LOVE it.



Apparently, peeing in the shower has a deep impact in the environment, because by doing so, we can save 12 liters of clean water per flush, or it is up to 4380 liters per year. And still in the same theme, you can read more about how peeing in your garden would be good for your plant here (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/is-peeing-in-public-green.php).

So, what are you waiting for?! Let's pee in the shower !! Don't waste that precious phosphate of yours. :D

Absolute Vodka ANTHEM by TBWA\Chiat\Day New York

So this is the latest Absolut Vodka's ad created by TBWA\Chiat\Day New York.

6 different location, 6 large scale awesome installations, delivering the message of “DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY LEADS TO SOMETHING EXCEPTIONAL".




Well, the ad is exceptional. And I absolutely love the installations. :) And if I were a drinker, I'd definitely drink Absolut Vodka as an appreciation of the cool and highly artistic ad campaign. Too bad I'm not. :D

Project name : Anthem
Copywriter : Alisa Wixom
Art director : Thiago Zanato
Production company : MJZ
Director : Rupert Sanders
Editor : Neil Smith



via http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/ and fubiz.net

Video of the Day : Partly Cloudy by Pixar



Well, just seeing the word "Pixar" is already a stamp of approval of a high quality animated entertainment. And this short video easily manage to achieve that particular level.

A very delightful and heartwarming animation. :)

Video of the Day : Pigeon Pilfer by Michael Stevenson

Pigeon Pilfer from Michael Stevenson on Vimeo.



I'm glad to say that more and more talents are emerging, and Michael Stevens is one of those. I love this video. A simple and witty and cute animation with wonderful song! :)

Video of the Day : The Dog and The Butcher

The Dog and the Butcher by Jonathan Holt from Jonathan Holt on Vimeo.



A little fun animation by Jonathan Holt to brightens up your day. :)
I absolutely loving the choice of music!

Capture by Gregory Euclide




What a gorgeous creation! :D

I could just stare at it for hours and drown myself in all sorts of imagination and things that I can do if I were dwarfed and sucked into this little world created by Gregory Euclide .. *sigh*

Anyway, a further flicking through the artist's official website will show you how much talent this guy have, and how his other creations give me the same effect. And more. I really can't decide which one I liked best.

I adore everything from his 2008 relief work : http://www.gregoryeuclide.com/Euclide_RELIEF_2008.html; and I looove some of his 2006 relief work. See it here, here and here.

Enjoy! :)

via gregoryeuclide.com and notcot

The Sand Circles by Andres Amador





In this Sand Circles series by Andres Amador, he's engaging the earth's landscape as his canvas, and creating magnificent geometric patterns that speak to forces in nature.
This lovely artwork was done between tides, and the design will be gone after several hours. As in nature, no beauty can last forever. Let's just enjoy the world's beauties as it is, while it lasts.

To me, this is a true inspiration. And a solid proof that all kinds of art in the world are beautifully interconnected.


via http://www.andresamador.net

Video of the Day : Muzorama by Muzo

Oh how I LOVE technology .. And art. Of course. :)
Our today's video, in my opinion, is like an animated Escher or Salvador Dali. Totally awesooomee !! :)

Anyway ..

Muzorama is a short 3D animation film based on the universe of french illustrator Muzo.

Muzorama from Muzorama Team on Vimeo.



Produce in 2008 with a six weeks production time. Directed by Elsa Brehin, Raphaël Calamote, Mauro Carraro, Maxime Cazaux, Emilien Davaux, Laurent Monneron and Axel Tillement.

via gugazine.com

Design Revolution - 100 products that empower people

In the rage of e-books and information overflow from the internet, now people (me) are getting more and more selective with hard copies that they bought. And this book, in my opinion, is one of those books worth buying.



I'd buy it for my personal collection, and to appreciate the featured inventors/ designers and honor them for designing something that really works, and made a whole lot of sense too!

This is one of my favorite design, the Playground Fence by Tejo Remy and René Veenhuizen.




The 'Design Revolution: 100 Products That Empower People' is written by Emily Pilloton, the founder and Executive Director of Project H Design, a global industrial design nonprofit with eight chapters around the world. Current Project H initiatives include water transport and filtration systems in South Africa and India; an educational math playground built for elementary schools in Uganda and North Carolina; a homeless-run design coop in Los Angeles; and design concepts for foster care education and therapy in Austin, Texas.

Well done Ma'am. Recruit me, please? :D

via designaddict.com and projecthdesign.org