Art
December 13, 2018

7 Contemporary Mosaic Artists Keeping the Ancient Art Form Alive

From Ancient Greek artifacts to pre-Renaissance biblical murals, Islamic architecture, modernist designs, and even subway stations, mosaics have been a popular art form for centuries. The timeless craft involves arranging colorful fragments of tiles or glass into patterns, pictures, and other decorative motifs that are then held together with grout or adhesive. The earliest examples were found in a Mesopotamian temple from the 3rd millennium BCE, and were made of ivory, seashells, and stones.

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Design
December 12, 2018

This Artist Creates the Most Amazing Paper Cranes with Feathery Details

In 2015, paper artist Cristian Marianciuc set an ambitious goal for himself: to complete 1,000 origami cranes in 1,000 days. Since achieving this objective, Marianciuc has continued crafting the cranes, culminating in a growing collection of equally elaborate and increasingly experimental paper sculptures. Like the pieces he created during his 1,000-day challenge, Marianciuc's more recent cranes showcase his eye for detail, creative use of color, and imaginative approach to traditional origami.

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Music
December 10, 2018

Musicians Perform Incredible Cover of Toto’s ‘Africa’ Using Traditional Japanese Instruments

Toto’s “Africa” is possibly one of the most frequently covered songs since its original release in 1982, but this rendition using traditional Japanese instruments might just be the most unique arrangement yet. Produced by Japan’s public broadcasting corporation NHK for their Blends TV series, the video shows three talented female musicians effortlessly performing an epic Asian version of the ‘80s classic.

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Street Photography
December 9, 2018

Interview: Russian Street Photographer Documents the Extreme Temperatures of His Hometown

What is life like in the cold extremes of eastern Russia? For street photographer Alex Vasilyev, his hometown of Yakutsk provides a blank canvas for the artist to work his magic. Enveloped by chilling temperatures during the winter, the city is the backdrop for his work, which documents the daily lives of those around him. Yakutsk is the capital of Yakutia, an enormous Far Eastern federal district known for its extreme weather.

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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.