Illusion
May 16, 2019

Incredible Optical Illusion Bookstore Looks Like a Real-Life M.C. Escher Painting

Shanghai-based architectural design firm X+Living has once again made waves with a stunning bookstore interior. By relying on optical illusions, they've transformed the Zhongshuge Bookstore in Chongqing into a mind-bending environment straight from the movie Inception. Using mirrors and staircases, the “ladder hall” is a reflective maze that cleverly houses bookcases in the steps. As visitors move about the space, they are brought into a surreal, never-ending adventure created by the optical illusion.

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Jewelry
May 15, 2019

These 400-Year-Old Rings Unfold to Reveal Astronomical Spheres

What if you could wear the entire universe on your finger? Since ancient times, astronomers around the world have used models of the sky to make calculations. With the advent of the armillary sphere, stargazers were given a physical model to better visualize the lines of celestial longitude and latitude. Created independently in ancient Greece and ancient China, these armillary spheres consisted of spherical rings centered on either the Earth or the Sun.

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Architecture
May 14, 2019

Architect Designs a Minimalist Modern House Inside a Giant Ancient Rock

Inspired by the Mada'in Saleh rock tombs in Saudi Arabia, architectural designer Amey Kandalgaonkar has conceived a modern home embedded into the side of an enormous rock. Fit together like a Chinese puzzle box, the overall form is slowly revealed as Kandalgaonkar gives an aerial view of the site. It's only when looked down upon from the sky that the minimalist facade reveals a much more complex construction at the rear of the megalithic rock.

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Sculpture
May 13, 2019

7 Famous Fountains Overflowing with Beauty Around the World

If you want to take in the art and culture of a city, you might make your way to its most popular museums. On top of these indoor institutions, exploring en plein air art is a great way way to experience a city's creative side. Popular outdoor destinations include verdant gardens, historic squares, and spectacular fountains. Here, we take a tour of the most famous fountains in the world.

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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.