Link About It: This Week’s Picks
Artificial rainbows, giant bugs, a cupcake ATM and more in this week’s look at the web
1. Global Rainbow
As the clock winds down on the 2012 Olympics, artist Yvette Mattern’s Global Rainbow shines over Northern England, symbolizing hope in the years to come and referencing the five colors of the olympic rings. Mattern’s lasers will go live on 4 March 2012 in North Tyneside, England.
2. Today I’m Feeling Turquoise
A new book from Pentagram pairs colors with their respective moods. Taking things a step further than the “green=greed” equation, the collection equates canary yellow to “mindless positivity” and maroon to “long-repressed rage”.
3. Martin Creed
The conceptual artist’s latest installation fills the restaurant of London’s Sketch Gallery. “Work No 1347” starts at the floor with a chevron pattern in 96 different types of marble and stretches up to the walls, with an accompanying set of large-scale paintings. The rest of the set-up comprises “Work No 1343”, which includes every single table, chair, dish and piece of glassware and flatware—each different, and hand-selected by Creed for a gloriously thoughtful hodgepodge of style and shape.
4. Mining the LES
A theoretical scenario from students at the Bartlett School of Architecture examines what would happen if Manhattan’s bedrock mineral content exceeded the value of the real estate. “Lower East Side Quarry” imagines the logistics of supporting the community through a series of retaining walls and stilts.
5. SETI Live
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) has decided to crowd-source their efforts to find life on other planets. Using the Allen Telescope Array (ATA), users can see a live feed of the most life-friendly star systems, and can report what they see in real time. The move is based on SETI’s decision that the human eye is more reliable than their computer algorithms.
6. Reversing Goggles
If you have ever had the desire to alter your visual perception of the world without the assistance of psychoactive drugs then these goggles are for you. The prisms over the eyes allow you to view the world upside-down or sideways. An interesting thought but probably not the best idea while driving.
7. The Power of Introverts
Author Susan Cain touched down at TED 2012 to discuss her new book, “QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking”. Billing the movement as a revolution to unearth the less aggressive but no less significant role of our more reserved peers, Cain used her time to talk wisely—we walked away feeling inspired by the potential of the quieter side.
8. Singapore Airshow
Demonstrating the expansion of Asia’s airplane market, the Singapore Airshow is the ultimate display of new additions to the military and commercial aircraft scene. Monocle reports on the stunning rise in demand, Japan’s first commercial jet and the design-oriented Bombardier line.
9. Deco Bulbs
Adding a little creative flare to light up glass ceiling fixtures, Van Eijk and Van der Lubbe created these cute bulb covers. The glass is salvaged from a Dutch factory and the simple designs will make a great replacement for your boring old fixtures.
10. Giant Bug
In a fantastical story of extinction and rediscovery, this piece outlines the journey of Dryococelus australis out of and back into the scientific world. Thought to have been extinct for 80 years, the bug was found back in 2001 hiding amongst small bushes on the craggy tip of an extinct volcano. A fascinating read, be sure to check out the video at the end, the first-ever documentation of these giant stick bugs hatching.
11. Cupcake ATM
Sprinkles keeps the cupcake train blazing full steam ahead with a kitschy new addition to their LA store. Billing the new retro-style pink ATM as the “world’s first cupcake automat“, the bakery—which is also opening an ice cream shop next door—can now dole out sweet treats any time day or night.
12. Angel Falls 360° Panorama
While most will never experience the thrill of riding a helicopter to the top of Angel Falls in Venezuela, Airpano has composed a 360° panorama for all to enjoy. The world’s largest falls can be seen from several viewing angles, including a set for nearby Dragon and Cortina falls.
