Art Basel: Other Worlds

A selection of mind-bending, multimedia works from Switzerland's expansive art show

While several works at this year’s Art Basel touched upon the animalistic side of humanity, another parallel looked to the future with otherworldly and scientifically driven design. From a Nouveau Realism throwback to forward-thinking student work, there were numerous sculptures, paintings and more to stimulate the mind’s analytical side. In studying experience design at Stockholm’s renowned Konstfack University, Farvash Razavi explores the possibilities of blending …

Self-Watering Planter by Joey Roth

Ancient Native American irrigation systems inspire a thoroughly modern gardening vessel

We’ve all been guilty of neglecting that would-be herb garden on our balcony, or watched regretfully as each passing day slowly withered the petals of an indoor bouquet. When temperatures reach the boiling point and your calendar starts rejecting all new appointments, your potted plants suffer through the drought before shriveling up and succumbing to death by disregard. With the laid-back gardener in mind, designer …

The Immortal

Revital Cohen on the design of "artificial biology"

Repurposing a retired greyhound racer as a human respirator or a pet sheep as a human dialysis machine represent the type of concepts that irreparably change your understanding of what design can do. How about an electricity-generating human organ that can be implanted to replace the appendix? Such is London-based designer Revital Cohen’s specialization: pushing the applications of design into the realm of what seems …