WHITE O U T

Called WhiteOut, the installation consists of parallel panels made of thermally-bonded polypropylene filaments, suspended from the ceiling. The screens move apart in response to the static charge of visitors walking between them, returning to their positions once people have passed. http://www.dezeen.com/2010/02/24/whiteout-by-spaceoperaform/#more-66402

Modern Coffin

Just in time for Halloween:

Project: Mark the last veil

Designer: Roos Kuipers

Description: At a funeral, the closing of the coffin is often a grim moment. A hard, abrupt action that is inappropriate for the sensitive and emotional grieving and mourning process. Roos Kuipers designed an open coffin made of traditional elm, with round, soft forms that softens this moment. Six transparent veils of bamboo, cotton and silk hang from its side. At the moment of leave-taking, the veils are layered over the body one by one, by which the image of the deceased is gradually obscured. By tucking the veils layer by layer into a groove in the wood, the body of the deceased is similarly ‘tucked in’ with loving care and respect.

It's Bad but not in a good way...

Just when you think you heard enough news coverage on the whole Michael Jackson circus show, Archinet is sponsoring the "Live Forever: The Michael Jackson Monument Design Competition."

The voting has begun for the finalists (and there are many). Some of the entries had serious design merit, while some were just plain rediculous. Some entries include the "MJ Sperm Bank Memorial" and the "Freedom Tower (9/11 / MJ memorial towers / anti terrorist device)."

Enjoy (and vote for) the freakshow here:

http://www.bustler.net/index.php/michael_jackson_competition/finalists/

Healthcare you don't mind paying for

The Clinic is a rather strange and morbid restaurant and club in Singapore with a hospital theme. Diners are seated in wheelchairs and dining off of stainless steel operating tables (extra cutlery are stored in surgical drawers). The chefs (dressed as surgeons) cook in an open kitchen designed as an operating room. Wine is stored behind a wall of stainless steel morgue drawers. Molecular gastronomy is on the menu while cocktails are served up in IV drips, spray or pill form. This rather kitchy concept was inspired by Damien Hirst's pharmacy series.

While this concept would normally shy away locals (due to Asian superstition and karma), it has been popular with the younger hip generation.

http://www.theclinic.sg/

Taxidermy is Back

http://www.meetsebastian.com/english/

Furniture you can take with you...

I always like twisted dark humor, so I found this piece of furniture very witty without being too obvious -- afterall you don't want to be labelled a Goth.

Shelves for Life is an ingenious piece of furniture designed by William Warren, a self-proclaimed conceptual designer, lateral thinker, and joker. It's whimsical, functional, and a total conversation piece. And, it's a bookcase that turns into a coffin.

World News front pages

for Front Page news, literally, world wide, click below:

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/

An Elastic Mind...

A MOMA think thank website here.

Dig digg

Visualization models for digg data. Live and 'historic' data on the activity at digg.
http://labs.digg.com/

Interactive Inspiration

With all of the interest in interactivity, data/information presentation, display walls etc. going on in the office, this site could be really useful to a lot of you.
http://adnxtc.wordpress.com/2007/08/03/visualisation-de-donnees-quelles-sont-les-differentes-approches-possible/

http://tinyurl.com/3p3oxy

Here's how Stonehenge could have been erected. Apply similar techniques to raising obelisks and building the pyramids, if you like!

Statistics couldn't be any cooler

"Remind Me" music video for catchy upbeat Norwegian electronic band, Röyksopp, is an amazing series of statistics, graphs and diagrams brought to life:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBvaHZIrt0o

The Sweater Lady

Something to inspire the fashion lover in all of us.