Ankhul, la jirafa curiosa
Allá arriba, acá abajo [Up there, down here]
The Trip
All images copyright Alex Dukal
Artist of the Month: Alex Dukal
This month's artist is Alex Dukal, born in December of 1966 in Peurtra Madryn, Argentinian (near Patagonia). He studied at the National School of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires and has has his illustrations published in several magazines including Fierro and Blank. For more information, his website, blog and Flickr. Now, for some examples of his wonderful work:
Ankhul, la jirafa curiosa
Allá arriba, acá abajo [Up there, down here]
The Trip
All images copyright Alex Dukal
Ankhul, la jirafa curiosa
Allá arriba, acá abajo [Up there, down here]
The Trip
All images copyright Alex Dukal
Chocolate Museum: Nestlés Newest Confection
The Nestlé Museum in Mexico City (near Toluca) was not previously know for its architectural merit, however all of this changed in March 2007 with Michel Rojkind, head architect of Rojkind Arquitectos, who was not satisfied simply remodeling the viewing gallery.
At 300m wide, this scarlet structure cannot go unnoticed when driving along the highway from Mexico City to Toluca
Okay, so this isn't Mexico's first chocolate museum, nor is it Nestlé's inaugural museum, but this is definitely the coolest chocolaterie I've ever seen!
At 300m wide, this scarlet structure cannot go unnoticed when driving along the highway from Mexico City to Toluca
Okay, so this isn't Mexico's first chocolate museum, nor is it Nestlé's inaugural museum, but this is definitely the coolest chocolaterie I've ever seen!
Get a whiff of this!
In Taipei, ASUS released a new product this morning: the F6 notebook. So why am I, a staunch Mac user, telling you about it? Because the F6 is a new breed of personalized notebook: the F6 is a scented laptop. That's right, scented. The F6 comes in four designs (and scents): Floral Blossom, Musky Black, Morning Dew and Aqua Ocean -- with matching, color-coded wireless mice, of course.
The F6 in Musky Black
Not only is this limited edition laptop a nice addition to that stuffy classroom, but it actually has decent specs: Intel Core2 Duo processor (including Mobile Intel Express & Intel WiFi Link),, Windows Vista (ah! Run away, RUN AWAY!) and a 13.3" LCD display.
Now, I just want to leave you with one, simple question:
Why?
The F6 in Musky Black
Not only is this limited edition laptop a nice addition to that stuffy classroom, but it actually has decent specs: Intel Core2 Duo processor (including Mobile Intel Express & Intel WiFi Link),, Windows Vista (ah! Run away, RUN AWAY!) and a 13.3" LCD display.
Now, I just want to leave you with one, simple question:
Why?
Speaking of Solar Energy...
Solarjo just released the ultimate accessory: a solar-powered purse. That's right, an energy-producing handbag, iconic of the more scientific side of the textile industry. Made of a woven material, this bag evidently collects and stores solar energy. For what purpose? Who knows! More information to come!
Green Black Gold: Using Asphalt to Generate Solar Energy
We all know about the growing importance of solar energy, but solar panels don't always work out for those of us in say, Seattle, who don't see quite enough sunny days a year to justify the investment (those panels can be quite pricy, not to mention sort of hideous...). So what next? Well, let me tell you about it...
Last week, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts announced that they have a found a way to use asphalt to create solar energy. Specifically, they have looked at different compositions to find the most conductive "recipe" for asphalt, finding that the absorption could be significantly increased by the addition of more conductive aggregates (ie quartz).
Today, Bao-Liang Chen (a PhD candidate at WPI) presented findings of a study that evaluated the feasibility/usefullness of implementing this "clean", cost effective, alternative energy source at the annual Society for Asphalt Pavements (who knew!) symposium in Zurich, Switzerland. Additionally, unlike solar panels, this method of energy generation wouldn't be nearly as unsightly and, because "blacktops" are so good at retaining heat (as I'm sure we've all experienced at least once each summer), the asphalt will be able to keep producing energy even after sunset. Some say installing the receptors will even help to cool the pavement itself - a novel idea.
In other news, Oregon is once again leading the nation when it comes to renewable energy. Portland General Electric (PGE), US Bank and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have partnered up to create the first solar-powered highway by the end of the year, even going so far as to really "keep it in the family" by having all materials provided by in-state companies.
"Highway@night #2" © Stefan Dulman
So what does a "solar powered highway" mean? Well, during the day, the highway will store solar energy (approximately 112,000 kilowatt hours (kWh)) each day, then use that energy to light the roadway at night. ODOT is beginning by implementing this revolutionary system at the I-5/I-205 interchange at Tualatin, OR. Once again, Oregon is showing us how it's done!
Last week, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts announced that they have a found a way to use asphalt to create solar energy. Specifically, they have looked at different compositions to find the most conductive "recipe" for asphalt, finding that the absorption could be significantly increased by the addition of more conductive aggregates (ie quartz).
Today, Bao-Liang Chen (a PhD candidate at WPI) presented findings of a study that evaluated the feasibility/usefullness of implementing this "clean", cost effective, alternative energy source at the annual Society for Asphalt Pavements (who knew!) symposium in Zurich, Switzerland. Additionally, unlike solar panels, this method of energy generation wouldn't be nearly as unsightly and, because "blacktops" are so good at retaining heat (as I'm sure we've all experienced at least once each summer), the asphalt will be able to keep producing energy even after sunset. Some say installing the receptors will even help to cool the pavement itself - a novel idea.
In other news, Oregon is once again leading the nation when it comes to renewable energy. Portland General Electric (PGE), US Bank and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have partnered up to create the first solar-powered highway by the end of the year, even going so far as to really "keep it in the family" by having all materials provided by in-state companies.
"Highway@night #2" © Stefan Dulman
So what does a "solar powered highway" mean? Well, during the day, the highway will store solar energy (approximately 112,000 kilowatt hours (kWh)) each day, then use that energy to light the roadway at night. ODOT is beginning by implementing this revolutionary system at the I-5/I-205 interchange at Tualatin, OR. Once again, Oregon is showing us how it's done!
"So tell me why should it be true, that I get a kick out of you..."
For those of you born after 1970 and without a sufficient knowledge of American musical history, you may not recognize lyrics from one of Frank Sinatra's most popular songs, "I Get A Kick Out Of You", originally written by Cole Porter, performed by Ethel Merman and featured in Anything Goes (1934) Anyway, moving on to my actual point...
Sinatra evidently bridges more than just a generational gap: he resonates with both Republicans and Democrats. According to BBC News Sinatra made it onto the Top Ten list for both United States Presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama. Finally, we agree on something - and a fabulous, worthwhile something it is!
The Ultimate Tapestry Experience
Officially open at 8pm (CET) today , the biennial Flower Carpet in Brussels, Belgium. Beginning in 1976, the carpet has been constructed in Market Square, open through Sunday, 17 August 9am-11pm. Based on the 17th & 18th Century French tapestry designs to create these massive "carpets". This year's design was based on the 18th C Savonnerie pattern.
So how do they do it? Beginning a year in advance, they begin with designs (which change every year) and scale models. Then, the day before the flowers are installed, rolled turf is placed between the floral patterns. 700,000 flowers are packed in tight (300 per meter/sq!), without any soil used at all! The flowers actually create their own microclimate. And how long does this take? It takes 100 gardeners four hours to put together this giant, living "paint by number". How awesome is that?
So how do they do it? Beginning a year in advance, they begin with designs (which change every year) and scale models. Then, the day before the flowers are installed, rolled turf is placed between the floral patterns. 700,000 flowers are packed in tight (300 per meter/sq!), without any soil used at all! The flowers actually create their own microclimate. And how long does this take? It takes 100 gardeners four hours to put together this giant, living "paint by number". How awesome is that?
Invisibility Cloak ENGAGE!
Okay, so you maybe wondering why I sound like an spandex-clad second-rate comic book hero or a hyper-obsessed Harry Potter fan. (and if you're not, you're going to find out why anyway). The answer is simple: researchers at UC Berkeley have developed two new "invisibility cloak" prototypes and I'm excited.
So how do these things work? Well, these microscopic devices (not yet implanted or woven into a cloak) are composed of specially designed metamaterials which, in turn, contain holes whose diameters are smaller than the width of rays of light in the visible part of the spectrum, which "smoothly shuttle light rays around them" wrote Dan Vergano in his article for USA Today. "Being able to bend light in unusual ways is important for applications that almost resemble magic," wrote physicist Ulf Leonhardt of Scotland's University of St. Andrews in an e-mail to Vergano.
For more information, read Vergano's article
So how do these things work? Well, these microscopic devices (not yet implanted or woven into a cloak) are composed of specially designed metamaterials which, in turn, contain holes whose diameters are smaller than the width of rays of light in the visible part of the spectrum, which "smoothly shuttle light rays around them" wrote Dan Vergano in his article for USA Today. "Being able to bend light in unusual ways is important for applications that almost resemble magic," wrote physicist Ulf Leonhardt of Scotland's University of St. Andrews in an e-mail to Vergano.
For more information, read Vergano's article
Bike City, baby
Matching Paris and Barcelona, Washington D.C. became the first city in the United States to launch a public bike-sharing program. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (a Democrat, of course) has been working to "transform Washington into a 'world-class city'," wrote Elissa Silverman of the Washington Post yesterday morning, "SmartBike DC will rent 120 bikes at 10 self-service racks mostly in the downtown area, including near the Gallery Place, Shaw and Judiciary Square Metrorail stations." So, for an annual fee of $40, you get to pick up a fire-engine red 3-speed bicycle (not unlike Amsterdam's MacBike Company), at your disposal for a maximum of three hours, at which point you can swap it out for another bike and continue on your way, with an unlimited number of "transactions" per annum. How cool is that?
Parisian Bicycle Project
Having adjusted to cycling as my main mode of transportation over the past few weeks, I am delighted to hear that at somewhere in the US a similar program is being adopted. Having rediscovered the joy of cycling, I've been happily daydreaming of the eco-friendly life I could lead back home, biking to work, to class, to the grocery store - the sky is the limit! - my enthusiasm was abruptly dampened by the realization that Seattle, unlike Amsterdam, is not flat. There are hills, rather large ones in fact, and they make cycling unpleasant and, quite frankly, more trouble than it's worth at times. So I suppose the sky isn't the limit here, the hills are. Oh well, I like driving too much to quit anyway - the dichotomy between my absolute joy and horror/guilt every time I start the ignition is just plain lame.
For the full article on Mayor Fenty's new program, read Silverman's article in the Washington Post.
Parisian Bicycle Project
Having adjusted to cycling as my main mode of transportation over the past few weeks, I am delighted to hear that at somewhere in the US a similar program is being adopted. Having rediscovered the joy of cycling, I've been happily daydreaming of the eco-friendly life I could lead back home, biking to work, to class, to the grocery store - the sky is the limit! - my enthusiasm was abruptly dampened by the realization that Seattle, unlike Amsterdam, is not flat. There are hills, rather large ones in fact, and they make cycling unpleasant and, quite frankly, more trouble than it's worth at times. So I suppose the sky isn't the limit here, the hills are. Oh well, I like driving too much to quit anyway - the dichotomy between my absolute joy and horror/guilt every time I start the ignition is just plain lame.
For the full article on Mayor Fenty's new program, read Silverman's article in the Washington Post.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
