Nature
December 20, 2018

Mysterious “Crop Circle” Forest in Japan Is the Result of a 50-Year-Old Experiment

A forest in Japan is creating quite a stir with its unique shape. In the Miyazaki Prefecture of southern Japan, groups of Japanese cedar trees swell toward the sky, creating mysterious concentric circles. After a recent aerial photo spotted these “crop circles,” it left people wondering just how they were formed. The picturesque natural formations aren't the results of an alien invasion, but rather a well thought out plan that took place nearly 50 years ago.

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Sculpture
December 19, 2018

Artist Turns Medieval Monsters from Illuminated Manuscripts into Colorful Piñatas

Contemporary artist Roberto Benavidez finds inspiration in imagery and literature from hundreds of years ago. Influenced by works like Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, he manages to fuse the famous source materials with elements that are significant to his own life. Benavidez grew up in rural southern Texas where the party piñata is commonplace. He uses the crepe paper creations as the basis for his sculptures.

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Sculpture
December 18, 2018

Artist Fills Forest with Life-Size Sculptures Made from Woven Rods of Willow

The ancient art of basket weaving is believed to be one of the widest spread crafts in the history of human civilization. The process involves weaving pliable, natural materials together to create a variety of useful forms and vessels. Inspired by the craft, a British sculptor known as Anna & the Willow has put a contemporary twist on this timeless technique. She creates incredible nature-inspired sculptures made from English-grown rods of willow.

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Science
December 16, 2018

Psychiatrist Hand-Knits an Anatomically Correct Replica of the Human Brain

The human brain is often described as the most complex organ in the human body. The mass of tissue weighs around 1.4 kilograms and contains a mind-boggling network of around 1,000,000,000 nerve cells (aka neurons). Each neuron can make contact with thousands of others via tiny structures called synapses. These constant and ever-changing connections are how memories are stored, habits are learned, and personalities are shaped.

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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.