July 2, 2019

This Artist’s Oil Paintings of Women Are Considered the Most Realistic in the World

Creating portraits that are startlingly lifelike, Chinese artist Leng Jun is a master of hyperrealism. The accomplished painter is particularly known for his detailed oil paintings of women, where every wisp of hair and fiber of clothing is rendered to perfection. Born in 1963, Leng came of age during a time of great economic reform known as the Opening of China. This great cultural change, and the Western influences it introduced, greatly influenced his art.

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July 1, 2019

Listen to This Gigantic 80-Inch Gong That Sounds Like an Underwater Whale

Have you ever wondered what an 80-inch symphonic gong sounds like? In a video by Wind Chimes Australia, “Gong Master” Sven plays the gigantic metal precision instrument, revealing the harmonic, unearthly sounds it can produce. Made by Swiss-based Estonian manufacturer Paiste, the huge Symphonic Gong is handmade from nickel silver—a material that can produce a wide-range of sound, depending on how it’s played.

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June 29, 2019

Illustrator Captures “Magical Realism” in Imaginative Storybook Illustrations

Describing her work as “magical realism,” award-winning, Tel Aviv-based illustrator Gabriella Barouch creates captivating images that evoke childhood nostalgia. Her distinct visual language is characterized by delicate lines and a slightly muted color palette that’s influenced by her love of old picture books. Each drawing depicts fantastical scenes where animals and humans are friends. Barouch plays with scale, often allowing animals to be the dominant subject, while humans are often depicted as small, fairy-like characters.

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June 28, 2019

Dynamic Wood Sculptures Carved to Look Like Pixelated Glitches

Taiwanese sculptor Hsu Tung Han is a master of marrying old and new. Using traditional methods, his contemporary wood sculptures are instilled with a futuristic spirit thanks to the pixelated glitches that permeate each piece. Working with walnut, teak, and African wax wood, Han puzzles together his monochromatic figures to great effect. With some blocks protruding and others sunken in, he's able to achieve his signature pixelation.

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