Art

July 12, 2017

Artisan Carefully Carves Avocado Pits into Fantastical Figures of the Forest

At first glance, the work of Jan Campbell looks like it could be carved out of wood. But what you’re seeing is not lumber… it's an avocado pit that the artisan has transformed into handheld totems and pendants. Her handiwork boasts fantastical figurines and guardians of the forest that are created with an impressive attention to intricate detail. So, how did Campbell start carving this unconventional material?

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July 6, 2017

Artist Creates Replica of Parthenon from 100,000 Banned Books

Argentinian conceptual artist Marta Minujín has just installed The Parthenon of Books in Kassel, Germany as part of the Documenta 14 art festival. Created from 100,000 banned books, this architectural replica of the Parthenon in Athens is a work in progress, with the public being asked to continue bringing volumes with them when visiting the exhibition.

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June 28, 2017

Fun Paper Animal Puppets Designed to Move in Unexpected Ways When Touched

In his menagerie of moveable animal puppets, Japanese designer Haruki Nakamura adds a mechanical touch to the ancient art of paper crafting. Inspired by kirigami—an origami-like technique that employs cuts in addition to folds—Nakamura creates paper dolls that move in unexpected and unusual ways. Crafted from paper and cleverly constructed, each whimsical creature puts a paper twist on karakuri, or mechanized puppets. Like traditional karakuri, each figure's movements are prompted by human touch.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.