Design
September 24, 2015

Transparent Dome Shelters Campers While Offering Uninterrupted Views of Natural Surroundings

Star gazing can be a beautiful experience, but a clear view of the night sky often means a lack of privacy or protection against inclement weather. The Oasis (or Oaze) dome intends to change that with its transparent structure that offers uninterrupted 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. If you want privacy, however, simply close the thick fabric curtains that are installed around its interior.

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Art
September 23, 2015

Gigantic Wooden Megaphones Amplify the Quiet Sounds of a Natural Forest

On display in an Estonian forest near Tallinn is ruup, an installation of three gigantic wooden megaphones that amplify the typically-quiet sounds of nature. The project was created by interior architecture students at the Estonian Academy of the Arts, and it's intended as a site of relaxation. Here, visitors can enjoy the symphony of the forest–faintly chirping birds, rustling leaves, and babbling brooks are now within earshot.

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Art
September 18, 2015

Self-Reflective Artist Uses Thousands of Buttons to Form Iridescent Installations as Meditation

Button connoisseur Ran Hwang uses her distinct style both as a form of expression and as a form of meditation. When designing large installations made solely of buttons, beads, crystals, pins, and thread, Hwang becomes completely immersed in the project at hand and allows her work to consume her thoughts. “I create large icons such as a Buddha or a traditional vase, using materials from the fashion industry,” she writes.

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Travel
September 17, 2015

Grandiose Baroque Library in Prague Is a Stunning Kingdom for Books

Prague's Klementinum library was opened in 1722 and has easily become one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Aside from housing over 20,000 novels for your reading pleasure, this location showcases absolutely stunning Baroque architecture. As you're perusing various timeworn bookshelves, you can take a moment to look up and see Jan Hiebl's heavenly, Renaissance-style ceiling paintings. Hiebl employed trompe-l'oeil techniques—popular at the time—to open up the ceiling to the heavens.

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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.