period table of typefaces

This is amazing.

Source: http://api.ning.com/files/86jl2e4BiALT20KdPffJEKEX3OkVEuMewCyxD*pAV5JgvQrjMDetQD-K395jV92lT7IsrPI-l1CPkg8Ouywy*WQnOhaoJAbX/Periodic_Table_of_Typefaces_large.jpg

sneezing bus stop

This is a really great and super creative advertisement for Vancouver’s Science World.

Sneezing Bus Stop, Rethink (Canada, est. 1999), 2007.

Vinyl, battery, proximity sensor, MP3 player, digital timer, audio amplifier, audio driver, and lawn-sprinkler spray head

6′ x 48″

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This advertisement is aesthetically very simple and as ordinary as its location of a bus stop, cleverly fitting in with its environment. There is just one large orange circle, a Science World logo, and a button labeled “Press here and we’ll explain.” Upon pushing the button, the viewer is sprayed with water at face level and a recorded voice reads an interesting fact about sneezing, encouraging the viewer to visit Science World to learn more.

Though not necessarily a work of art by a particular artist, this campaign is certainly artistic in design and execution, and definitely a unique form of advertisement. It is bold and simple, and perfectly mirrors the fun and interactive nature of the place it’s advertising. The orange circle may seem unassuming but it’s simplicity is almost what draws the viewer in. Coupled with the single button, interaction is a one-step clear-cut motion. Innate to the project is also a sense of humor, something that again reflects the mood of Science World and offers the viewer a preview of the museum.

The best thing is that the advertisement is not over-thought or flashy, even though Science World itself is full of gizmos and gadgets of all colors, shapes, and sizes. As the adage says, sometimes less is more, and this project exemplifies that concept. It engages multiple senses of the viewer (touch, sound, hearing, taste if the water’s spritzed into your mouth!), which can help elevate any type of artwork.

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more info: http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2011/talktome/objects/146208/

sayaka ganz

Sayaka Ganz is has the extraordinary ability to turn solid everyday discarded objects into elegant sculptures that are equipped with an organic quality and emit a strong sense of movement. Her pieces synergistically come together to equal much more than the sum of their parts, in an unexpected and truly impressive manner. My favorite body of work is her reclaimed objects sculptures.

Emergence, 2008. Two pieces installation: Night, Reclaimed (mostly black and clear plastic) objects, 72″ x 50″ x 17″; Wind, Reclaimed (mostly white and clear plastic) objects, 63″ x 78″ x 26″. Image from http://www.sayakaganz.com.

Deep Sea, 2007. Reclaimed (mostly blue and green plastic) objects, 32″ x 42″ x 28″. Image from http://www.sayakaganz.com.

Armor. Image from http://www.sayakaganz.com.

Japonica, 2007. Reclaimed (mostly white plastic) objects, 36″ x 27″ x 31″. Image from http://www.sayakaganz.com.

Ambush, permanent installation at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Image from http://www.sayakaganz.com.

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Almost like optical illusions, Ganz’s sculptures are very realistic and airy upon first glance or when viewed from afar, but upon closer inspection reveal themselves to be made up of nothing more than cheap plastic spoons, combs, spatulas, and the like – objects that have been used, discarded, and now reborn in a sense as parts of these animals. Ganz is able to build a huge range of animals too, anything from a delicate fish to a robust tiger, turning plastic artificially manufactured utensils into organic flesh and meat.

Not only do the sculptures look anatomically correct and closely resemble the animals they are modeled to be, but they also portray a clear sense of movement, even though the objects are meticulously placed in static formations. The placement of Emergence, with the two horses seemingly passing through or being drawn out from the wall, is especially intriguing as it introduces a mythical and fantastical element to the sculptures. Nonetheless, the pieces in which the entire animal bodies are seen are equally alive; for example, Japonica, with its delicate bones and feathers, looks as if it could take flight at any moment.

Ganz’s reclaimed object sculptures are inventive and whimsical in their use of material and bold color, yet simultaneously serious and quite impressive as “high art” as one considers the time and planning it must take to piece each sculpture together with such precision.

Her work reminds me of the Markings, Methods & Materials class that I took in the Spring of 2010, in which I worked for the first time in 3D and created work out of non-traditional materials, such as a bear cub from gummy bears and a pair of dentures from remolded caramels and tootsie rolls. Ganz’s work is obviously ten million light years ahead of my experiments in that class, but she inspires me to be more aware of and creative with the materials around me when creating new work this semester.

Ever since my more traditional art courses in high school (acrylic, oil, charcoal, conte, graphite, etc.) I’ve tried to dabble in other media in college (printmaking, bookmaking, post-its & Sharpies, digital, etc.) but I feel like I’ve still been holding back and not created something REALLY inventive. Being more cognizant of dichotomy in media and form, or pieces and the whole, may help steer me in a new direction as a begin production this semester. Ganz proves that one can create beautiful pieces from thrift store plastics, which is great inspiration for not only my artistic growth but also my college student budget.

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All images posted with permission of Sayaka Ganz.

artist’s website: http://www.sayakaganz.com

marcel the shell with shoes on

This is one of the cutest things I have ever seen in my life.

This one too.

Directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp, Voiced by Jenny Slate

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“My one regret in life is that I’ll never have a dog. But sometimes I tie a hair to a piece of lint and I drag it around.”

“I’m afraid to drink soda because I’m afraid the bubbles will make me float up onto the ceiling.”

“Guess what I do for adventure? I hang glide on a Dorito.”

My favorite: “Guess why I smile a lot.” “Why?” “Uh, ’cause it’s worth it.”