571. Sparked Art: The Cloud February 11, 2008
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Video.3 comments
This digital sculpture is found in Heathrow Airport, and is made out of about 5,000 individually-controlled (via computer) flip-dots. Designed by Troika. Check out the clip below (via Make).
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568. Bright Idea: the Storyline shelf January 3, 2008
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.8 comments
Artistic, practical, versatile, and outrageously priced (at $319; buy it here). By Frederik Roije; Via BLTD.
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557. Bright Idea: the Yamaha Tesseract October 10, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product, Transportation.2 comments
What a beautiful concept vehicle. This is what I call mechaporn. Via Gizmodo.
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553. Bright Idea: Snowtone Wastebasket October 10, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.1 comment so far
It was love at first sight, for me. I need this wastebasket right next to all my toilets. The only thing that would make this product even better? An integrated magazine rack on the side, of course.
In fact, this product is so beautiful to me, I am also tagging it as “Art.” By Snowtone; Via MoCoLoco.
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537. Bright Idea: Pecha Kucha September 24, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Marketing, Video.add a comment
The rules are simple: for your presentation on whatever, you can only show 20 PowerPoint slides, at 20 seconds each. This emerging competitive art from was the Bright Idea of two Tokyo-based architects who wanted a venue for their ideas. Wikipedia it HERE; Wired article HERE; via Don’s Brain Blog.
Below is a sample Pecha-Kucha, about Emotional Signage, by Dan Pink. Like all Pecha-Kuchas, it is 6:40 minutes long. It is long, for a clip, but it presents an interesting idea, and serves as an example of this new media format.
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513. Bright Idea: Hyposurface September 13, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product, Video.2 comments
Check out this video of Hyposurface, a moving wall. Imagine the possibilities. Via FreshCreation.
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510. Bright Idea: Tenori-on September 11, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Audio, Product, Video.add a comment
Check out this clip of Tenori-on, a new digital instrument that combines light and sound. It looks simple to use, but can result in a complex presentation. This video will give you a good sense of its capabilities and potential. Yamaha’s website HERE explains how it works; via GeekSugar.
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493. Bright Idea: Gnarly Feet Shoes September 5, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
I would love to wear these on my next blind date. Via UberReview.
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492. Bright Idea: Troja Arc Lamp September 5, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Furniture, Product.add a comment
Here is something unique and elegant in lighting: the Troja Arc Lamp, by Hansandfranz. Via Freshome.
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488. Bright Idea: the Hang Drum September 4, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Audio, Person, Product, Video.17 comments
Wow. I could have titled this post: “Sparked Art: Dante Bucci’s Hang Drumming.”
Beautiful and obscure percussion instrument + awesomely talented musician = one amazing video. I let this clip move me to tears. Check out Dante’s website HERE; more info on the Hang Drum HERE; via UniqueDaily.
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486. Sparked Art: Silver Clouds September 2, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Video.add a comment
Kids love hitting around floating balloons. Adults now can, too, and still feel sophisticated, at this Silver Cloud art installation of helium-filled balloons. Check out the 36-second clip below. Via Freshcreation.
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479. Sparked Art: Tilt-Shift Photography August 31, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Optical Illusion.2 comments
This above photograph may look like it is of a scale model, but it’s not. By using a technique called “tilt-shifting,” you can make a regular scene (below) look a like a fake miniature (via JavaJive). Click HERE to listen to a photographer, Vincent Laforet, talk about this technique while watching a slide show of his work (via NickBaum).
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467. Bright Idea: Half Portion Mirror August 27, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Optical Illusion, Product.add a comment
Half a dinner plate is attached to this regular mirror to create the illusion of an entire plate (with a line down the middle of it). Pretty cool. But at $200, I would rather make my own. With my handy pocket plate cutter. Buy it (or not) HERE; Via Uncrate.
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466. Bright Idea: Eames House of Cards August 27, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
Created by iconic designers Charles and Ray Eames, this set has 32 interlocking cards. These cards are big (7″ x 4.5″) and expensive ($35), but imagine a really cheap version of a regular 52-playing card deck. Buy this deck HERE.
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463. Bright Idea: TXTual Healing August 24, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Experience.add a comment
Pedestrians can send a text message to a designated phone number to have their message displayed for all to see. Street art + mobile technology + audience and art interaction = one Bright Idea. TXTual Website HERE; via Wired.
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462. Bright Idea: the Bubble Project August 24, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Website.add a comment
The Bubble Project is a similar, but more low-tech, version of TXTual Healing. These blank bubble stickers were placed on billboards around NYC, for anyone to fill in. There are many more examples at their website HERE.
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429. Bright Idea: the Fogscreen August 7, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Marketing, Product, Video.add a comment
Now they can project moving images on a thin sheet of fog, which is also touch sensitive (i.e. interactive). Watch this quick 1-min clip, and make sure you get to the part with the fireworks.
Ultrasound creates tiny water droplets, which travel with downward blasts of air, at 2.5 gallons per hour. Starting at $40K for the 50-inch model. Their website HERE; via OhGizmo!
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419. Bright Idea: the Healing Theater Umine August 2, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
This Bright Idea projects movie water images on the wall and ceilings with accompanying sounds. Soothing. Buy it HERE ($84); via SciFiTech.
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414. Bright Idea: Park Planters July 31, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
Turn your potted plant into a urban park scene (voila! instant living art). Bonsai inspired, each piece is original, and some are a little raunchy (e.g. a fellatio scene). By Science + Sons designers, check them out HERE ($150 each). Via Freshome.
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394. Sparked Art: Theo Jansen’s Kinetic Sculptures July 23, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product, Video.add a comment
Looking like robotic polypedes, these large ambulating contraptions are light-weight and wind-powered. Watch this 1 minute video clip. Theo Jansen’s website HERE; Via DarkRoastedBlend.
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384. Bright Idea: the Light Drop July 18, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.1 comment so far
Control the light bulb (custom-molded polycarbonate/silicone with an embedded LED) with the faucet. Too bad this Bright Idea that is not in production. By Rafael Morgan; Via Core77.
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383. Bright Idea: the Sha-Do Lamp July 17, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.1 comment so far
This wall lamp by Aeneus projects beautiful light and shadows on the wall. Though it is pricey (€300) and difficult to install, it is still has a gorgeous effect. Buy it HERE; Via FreshHome.
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379. Sparked Art: The Pool Illusion July 16, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Optical Illusion, Video.3 comments
By Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich, this fake swimming pool is an installation in an art museum at Kanazawa City, Japan. See below for a quick clip. Via Hemmy, where you can also find more photos.
362. Bright Idea: Mirror, Mirror July 10, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Furniture, Product.add a comment
These two mirrors happen to be quite stylish and visually appealing. But what makes them a Bright Idea is that they are cut from the same piece of wood. With a little planning, Paul Loebach was able to double his production and limit his waste. Good for him, good for us, and good for the earth. Check out his website HERE; via MoCoLoCo.
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360. Bright Idea: Stair Squares June 26, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Furniture, Product.add a comment
People sit on stairs all the time, especially on nice days. Mark Reigelman’s art installation in front of Brooklyn’s Borough Hall adds colorful aesthetic appeal to the drab monotony of this building’s facade and steps, and gives you and your friend a place to put down your lunches. Another person can even use it as a back rest. I think most large public staircases should have permanent similar additions. Via Core77.
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350. Sparked Art: The Black Cubes June 19, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
How curious are you? 999 of these wooden cubes have been constructed by an Italian artist. Each box has a unique number on it, each with a mysterious something inside. Everytime one is sold, the next one will cost $0.50 more. Once all are sold, the artist says something will happen. Read more in his FAQ.
I considered buying one. So far, about 70 have been sold. At this moment, a box would cost me about $100, plus $30 to ship from Italy. Hmm, nevermind…I am not that curious.
I bet Schrodinger’s Cat is in Box #23. Via Core77.
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348. Sparked Art: Frank Buchwald Lamps June 18, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
German artist Frank Buchwald crafts Steampunkish Lamps. This one is his coolest, but you can see 8 more HERE.
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347. Bright Idea: Wooden Toy Robots June 18, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Plaything, Product.add a comment
Made by Japanese toymaker Take-G, these wooden toy robots are an original, and somewhat counterintuitive, fusion of style and substance. See more HERE, via Hemmy.
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344. Bright Idea: The Bit Fall June 14, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Optical Illusion, Video.add a comment
Check out this waterfall that spells out words from the web. About 320 nozzles synchronize to display randomly chosen words from internet news sources. This is an art installation by Julius Popp, and is some sort of comment on the flood of information that contantly bombards us. Whatever. I think that the machine is pretty cool. Via Neatorama.
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331. Bright Idea: Creative CD Holders June 4, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
Eventhough CDs are quickly becoming obsolete, this holder is practical (the lean keeps the CDs together) and artistic (like a sculpture, no?). However, I would have reversed the tilt so it would be easier to read the spines of the CDs (like when leaning your head to the right, as you would scanning books on a shelf). Below is another holder; both are $40 each; buy them HERE. Via Freshome.com.
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