Link About It: This Week’s Picks
Art made from garbage, a Star Wars hotel, Japan’s cute drone and more in our look around the web
1. Mobile Architecture’s New Radical Homes
There’s more to mobile housing units than the trailer category. As design writer Rebecca Roke notes in her new book “Mobitecture: Architecture on the Move” (published by Phaidon), everything from floating cabins to trampoline tents now exist—thanks to entirely inspiring developments. From suspended works like Dom’Up, by Bruno de Grunne and Nicolas d’Ursel (pictured here) to huts on wheels by Olson Kundig, these abodes remind one of the sometimes mobile nature of life—and the beauty of the outside world.
2. Japan’s Cute Space Camera Drone
Japan’s remote-controlled Internal Ball Camera (aka Int-Ball) is a camera drone that resides on the International Space Station—floating around taking footage that can be read in real time. Created completely with 3D printing, 2.2l-pound Int-Ball uses drone technology and has plenty of smarts, but is also extremely cute. The black and white ball has big glowing blue eyes, and (as The Verge accurately puts it) “looks like something straight from Pixar.” See more at The Verge.
3. Disney’s Immersive Star Wars Hotel
Disney has announced that—along with the Star Wars-themed “Galaxy’s Edge” areas of their theme parks—they will be opening an immersive Star Wars hotel in Orlando, expected to open in 2019. Not only will guests dress up in themed clothing, but also every window in the hotel will have a view of a galaxy far, far away. There will be aliens galore, and surely plenty of adventure. Read more at Engadget.
4. 22 Animators Create One Trailer
For anybody who watches Adult Swim’s “Rick and Morty,” the fact that the most recent trailer for the show is bonkers should come as no surprise. Some 22 artists contributed to the video, which is a “fantastic collaborative cocktail of animation techniques” that’s directed by Matt Taylor. Crafted by the likes of Bendik Kaltenborn, Greg Sharp, Hombre McSteez, Scorpion Dagger and more, it’s a trailer that will have you anticipating the series’ return—and maybe feeling like you’re on an acid trip.
5. Advancing the Ancient Lettering of the New York Times Nameplate
Even before the Gutenberg printing press, Gothic (also known as Blackletter) was a well-known letterform—with roots dating back to the 700s. Gutenberg would make it the first-ever font. And, centuries later, Henry Jarvis Raymond would use it in the nameplate of his newspaper the New-York Daily Times, today known as the New York Times. Since the paper’s inception, the nameplate’s received many tweaks—from dropping the hyphen and then the period to embellishing portions of individual letters. There’s an extensive and fascinating history that’s led to the nameplate of today. More information and plenty of images are available over at the Times.
6. New Study Claims T-Rex Couldn’t Run
Forget everything “Jurassic Park” taught you: Tyrannosaurus Rex couldn’t actually run. Using a computer simulation, scientists at University of Manchester have calculated that the large theropod probably got to top speeds of 20km per hour—thanks to its build. In fact, “had it moved from a brisk walk to a sprint, the dinosaur’s legs would have snapped under the weight of its body.” This also means that as they aged, T-Rex would probably get slower and slower—affecting its hunting tactics. Read more at the BBC.
7. Art Can Help With Wellness
According to a British all-party inquiry, it’s evident that involvement in the arts can “keep people well, aid recovery from illness, help people live longer, better lives and save money in health and social services.” With case studies and research gathered over two years, the study focused on people suffering from all kinds of ailments (from depression to recovering from a stroke) who undertook various art classes over an eight-week period. The results were impressive: “A cost-benefit analysis showed a 37% drop in GP consultation rates and a 27% reduction in hospital admissions,” according to The Guardian, where you can find out more.
8. Thirza Schaap’s Plastic Ocean Photographs
Creating art that furthers awareness of ocean pollution, Dutch photographer Thirza Schaap collects trash from Clifton Beach, Cape Town and makes something quite pretty from it. Arranging various items (from straws to flip-flops) into sculptures, she then photographs the strange works of art, and the results are delicate-looking, pastel beauties. Schaap says it’s frightening how much waste washes up on the beach. “I love the faded colors so much… But there’s a contradiction between the attraction and repulsion,” she says. “It made me realize what we’ve done.” Read more about the series at i-D.
Link About It is our filtered look at the web, shared daily in Link and on social media, and rounded up every Saturday morning.
