Link About It: This Week’s Picks
A pioneering surf photographer, renewable building materials, surreal nail art and more
Transforming Renewable Grass Into Building Materials
To innovate in the fight against climate change, the startup Plantd devised a method of turning a fast-growing perennial grass into a building material that is stronger, lighter and more moisture-resistant than traditional panels—while maintaining the same price. The company works with local farmers near Durham, North Carolina to grow the renewable grass which is adept at capturing carbon. In their electric and modular factory, engineers separate the grass fibers, converting them into a material stronger than wood which can be used for roof decking, wall sheathing and sub-flooring. The novel technology will not only create more efficient homes without any wall gaps, but it also attests to the ways architecture and construction can be used as solutions to a warming climate. Learn more at Interesting Engineering.
Image courtesy of Plantd
Nail Artist Sojin Oh’s Surreal Creations
For the art that accompanies Björk’s 10th studio album, Fossora, the Icelandic songstress tapped acclaimed nail artist Sojin Oh for mushroom-inspired sculptures—to adorn her fingers—crafted from biomorphic elements. Oh was given creative freedom to forage for and develop the eye-catching components, and has been known to use everything from fish bones and oyster shells to disassembled pieces of a cellphone in her ethereal work. “All the designs I wanted for myself were non-existent,” the LA-based artist tells Wallpaper*. “I wanted to create nails that no one has ever seen before.” Read more about her materials, process and inspirations at Wallpaper*.
Image courtesy of Sojin Oh
A24 Auctions “Everything Everywhere All At Once” Props for Charity
A24 is auctioning props and costumes from the beloved film Everything Everywhere All At Once, and 100% of the proceeds will benefit three charities: Laundry Workers Center, an NYC- and New Jersey-based organization dedicated to improving the working conditions for people in the laundry, warehouse and food service industries; Transgender Law Center, the largest trans-led organization in the US; and Asian Mental Health Project, a community working toward empowering and educating Asian Americans on mental health. Opening today at 12PM ET, the auction features 43 items including Jobu Tupaki’s Elvis costume and a Raccacoonie puppet, and is divided into three sections for each respective organization. Find out more at Dazed.
Image courtesy of A24
Surf Photographer Sachi Cunningham Braves Wild Water at Mavericks
Photographer Sachi Cunningham’s surfing images are stunning—not only because of the composition and skilled surfers depicted in them, but also because she dares to get shots nobody else does. One of the only photographers to swim at Mavericks (the infamous surf break in California known for its dangerous waves), Cunningham braves the impact zone, currents and sharks—all with a 20-pound camera—to get the shot before diving under to escape the powerful, crashing water. She also stands up to gender inequality in a space where men are paid and represented more than women. “I started shooting photos of women on waves because I never saw photos of women surfing. You don’t have to know anything about competitive surfing to know that when you see an image of a woman on a big wave for the first time, it changes what you think is humanly possible,” the photographer tells The New York Times, where you can learn more about her methodology and how she advocates for women in the surf space.
Image courtesy of Sachi Cunningham
San Miguel de Allende to Host North America’s 50 Best Bars Awards Ceremony
The second annual North America’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony will take place in San Miguel de Allende this May 2023—marking a first for the organization in both Mexico and Latin America. The celebratory three-day event series is part of a continued global expansion of the 50 Best umbrella, which includes The World’s 50 Best Bars, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, The World’s 50 Best Hotels, Asia’s 50 Best Bars and more. An accolade that truly delivers foot traffic to the hospitality venues that are honored, 50 Best aims to shine a light on bartenders, bar owners and partner brands. Read more about this year’s highly anticipated gathering at the 50 Best website.
Image courtesy of 50 Best
Link About It is our filtered look at the web, shared daily in Link and on social media, and rounded up every Saturday morning. Hero image courtesy of Sachi Cunningham
