Faith is Torment | Art and Design Blog

Love Times-Zero: Photos by Michael Massaia

2020-01-20T06:30:00.000-08:00

This painterly photo series entitled Love Times-Zero by fine art photographer Michael Massaia was shot using an old Polaroid SX-70 camera and Polaroid Time-Zero film which, according to Michael, they stopped making about 15 years ago. To create the effect, no Photoshop was involved but instead, the manipulations were done by hand using wood carving tools on the positive SX-70 piece of film. He states that "one of the keys to these images is I would use very old expired film to take the photos."

In my early twenties, I worked in a mailroom and as a street messenger in New York City. I would wander the streets for days at a time, both confused and mesmerized by almost everything that came in front of my eyes. Carrying around an old Polaroid SX-70 camera and boxes of Time-Zero film, I found the perfect tool to document both the romance, excitement and confusion of the city during the early 2000s. The city was right on the brink of undergoing massive changes both esthetically and culturally. These photos were in retrospect a love letter, as well as a goodbye letter, to a city that would in many ways be unrecognizable 20 years later.

See more of Michael Massaia's work at his website.

Night at the Museum: A Recreation of Edward Hopper's Western Motel

2019-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

As part of the exhibition Edward Hopper and the American Hotel at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the museum has recreated a three-dimensional motel space behind a pane of glass inspired by one of Edward Hopper’s best-known paintings “Western Motel.” This is the first time VMFA has recreated a work of art in meticulous real-life detail that also serves as a functional “hotel room” where guests can stay overnight by reserving a Hopper Hotel Experience package. Unfortunately, the room is already booked solid through the end of the exhibit. Edward Hopper and the American Hotel is on view through February 23, 2020.

teamLab Borderless: A Monumental Museum in Shanghai

2019-11-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

Opening November 5 in Shanghai's Huangpu district is teamLab Borderless, a monumental museum featuring a collection of teamLab’s 50 original artworks and interactive installations. The idea is to create "a world of artworks without boundaries, a museum without a map. Artworks move out of rooms, communicate with other works, influence, and sometimes intermingle with each other." Featured is an immense light sculpture made up of more than 1000 moving lights entitled Microcosmoses. Autonomous light vehicles, in the form of glass spheres, move simultaneously throughout the space on a rail changing speeds and colors in response to each other. The vehicles shine brightly and emit sound tones, as people stand close to them, providing every visitor a one-of-a-kind, unique experience.

Endings (No Past, No Present, No Future): Photos by Michael Massaia

2019-10-23T14:04:00.001-07:00

Photos of hotel lobbies devoid of people shot late at night or early in the morning by fine art photographer Michael Massaia. The images were shot using large format black and white film and the final prints are toned and tinted gelatin silver prints giving them an eerie, sort of haunted quality. He states:

Over the past sixteen years, I’ve spent the majority of my late nights and early mornings in hotel lobbies throughout Manhattan. Throughout those sleepless nights, I was always taken by how that environment seemed to exist in a constant – no past, no present, no future state. When the guests retired, I was left alone to experience the intimate nature of these places. This portfolio documents those long nights. The majority of these images were taken in the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, which has subsequently been sold and closed to make way for condominiums. It will never be the way it was...

See more of Michael Massaia's work at his website.

Weekend House by Knut Hjeltnes

2019-10-01T10:32:00.001-07:00

Oslo-based architecture firm Knut Hjeltnes built this house on a small, rocky islet to replace an old warehouse that was washed away by an extreme storm in 1992. The new building, made using a combination of steel and timber, has the same proportions as the previous structure due to planning restrictions. The steel frame is wrapped in a timber envelope of sliding panels that can be moved, depending on the residents' preference, and can be completely anonymous with all the panels closed when not in use. The building was constructed offsite and dropped into the islet using a crane.

WeWalk Revolutionary Smart Cane

2019-09-17T10:11:00.001-07:00

The WeWalk smart cane helps visually-impaired people navigate their surroundings using ultrasonic sensors and a vibrating handle to warn users of obstacles above chest level. Users can pair the cane with their smartphone via Bluetooth with the ability to integrate it with a voice assistant and Google maps. Built-in speakers inform the user of nearby stores, aid in navigating bus stops, and provide general directions. The cane was developed by a group of Turkish engineers at the Young Guru Academy and its CEO and co-founder Kursat Ceylan, who’s been blind since birth. The developers hope to eventually pair it with ridesharing apps and transportation services to further improve its navigational abilities. The smart cane runs on Android and iOS-based mobile phones and it features a USB input that can be used to charge the battery.

For Forest: An Installation by Klaus Littmann

2019-09-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

This monumental installation by Swiss curator Klaus Littmann transforms the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria into a native central European forest from September 8–October 27. The project "seeks to become a memorial, reminding us that nature, which we so often take for granted, may someday only be found in specially designated spaces, as is already the case with animals in zoos." Around 300 trees were transplanted over the existing football pitch and over the course of time, the forest will take on a life of its own, change colors as the season turns, and attract wildlife. After the free art intervention ends, the forest will be carefully replanted on a public site in close proximity to Wörthersee Stadium at a scale of 1:1 and remain as a living forest sculpture.

For more info, click here.

Public Toilet with Concrete Wave Ceiling by HZA

2019-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ureddplassen along Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten is frequently visited both by tourists and residents in the winter to admire the Aurora Borealis. Oslo-based practice HZA has redesigned the existing site with a new concrete viewing terrace, seating benches, memorial monument and a toilet building to satisfy the route’s requirements of architectural quality as well as services to the public. From the concrete terrace, an amphitheater rolls down to the shoreline making it accessible. The toilet, with an interesting architectural element, is built with a concrete ceiling that waves up from the terrace’s surface.

Lazy Susan: A Short Film by Terri Timely

2019-08-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

This latest short film by Ian Kibbey and Corey Creasey of Terri Timely gives a humorous take on the origins of the tabletop turntable, popular in many Chinese restaurants. Actress Monica Hong plays Susan, the lethargic daughter to restaurant owners and sister to the family favorite who overachieves. It turns out that her careless nature leads to a self-titled invention that saves the family’s business.

Northern California natives Ian Kibbey and Corey Creasey met while studying at the University of California, Berkeley. Since 2003 the two have worked together under the moniker Terri Timely to create short films, music videos and commercials with unique visual style, drawing on offbeat humor to atypical narratives.

Crocheted Retro Appliances by Trevor Smith

2019-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Crochet artist Trevor Smith based in Portland crafts a range of retro appliances using pure wool while incorporating foam rubber, polystyrene, foamcore and wire to create the base for his forms. Smith was interested in crafts at a very young age and still finds himself sourcing inspiration from spreads in midcentury magazines. He states that he has always been interested in nostalgia, stories, moments in time, and people in the news and that these works have been influenced by images from childhood and family life.

Trevor Smith's artwork is available through Michael Reid gallery.

Megaliths in the Bath House Ruins: Interactive Digital Installation by teamLab

2019-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

This interactive digital installation entitled Megaliths in the Bath House Ruins by Japanese art collective teamLab features artwork continuously rendered in real-time by a computer program on megaliths that appear to emerge out of the floor. The artwork is continuously changing responding to the movement of people and it is neither prerecorded nor on a loop so every moment is unique and can never be seen again.

The digital projections are divided into two groups:

Flowers and People in a state of continuous change. Over a period of one hour, a year’s worth of seasonal flowers blossoms and scatters. The flowers bud, grow, and blossom before their petals begin to wither and eventually fade away. The cycle of growth and decay repeats itself in perpetuity. If a person stays still, the flowers surrounding them grow and bloom more abundantly.

Universe of Water Particles with multiple waterfalls cascading down the three-dimensional objects. When people approach the artwork, the flow of the water changes. The movement of people influences the artwork, causing it to evolve continuously, while the artwork influences other works. For instance, the water causes the flowers to scatter.

Sake Cups That Reflect the Night Sky by Hiromi Sato

2019-07-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

These beautiful stainless steel sake cups designed by Niigata-based Hiromi Sato are glazed with lacquer and dusted with gold powder so when clear alcohol is poured, the inside looks like the night sky glimmering with stars. The cups are called "Chu COCORO" and each one is hand-painted so no two cups are the same. According to online shop Sansaku, the process to make these cups utilizes stainless steel processing technology and oxidizing paint to give them that metallic color making them unique. They would make a great addition to your home or a fantastic gift for somebody.

Lua Smart Planter by Mu-Design

2019-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

This smart planter by Luxembourg-based Mu-Design turns your favorite plant into a spirited virtual pet. It comes with 15 different emotions displayed on a 2.4 inch LCD screen directly related to your plant’s health and overall well-being, measuring everything from the soil’s moisture, temperature, and light exposure. Lua isn’t available for sale yet but you can help fund the development through Indiegogo.

Sketches Merging with Real Objects by Pietro Cataudella

2019-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

CityLiveSketch is an artistic project created by Italian artist Pietro Cataudella. This ongoing series features 3D architectural drawings that seem to jump off the page using perspective and shadow. Other drawings depict cartoon characters as well as famous paintings superimposed over other paintings and structures to create an unexpected effect.

The aim of CityLiveSketch is to showcase the beautiful world surrounding us, both the iconic places and the most characteristic views, using not only simple photos but also drawings made on a normal travel sketchbook.

See more of Pietro Cataudella's work on Instagram or at his website.

La Providencia: A Small Chapel by S-AR

2019-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Mexico-based architectural design studio S-AR has built this small oratory made of rough concrete and timber planks as part of the parochial church of San Rafael Arcángel in Monterrey, Mexico. The goal was to revitalize unused spaces near the main church as well as offer a place to reflect and meditate. One side of the chapel has been punctured to let in natural light while wood is used for a bench and to envelop the interior.

Afterlife II – New Jersey Shore: Photos by Michael Massaia

2019-06-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Fine art photographer Michael Massaia started this series entitled Afterlife–New Jersey Shore in 2008 "to document the amusement piers that skirt the New Jersey Coast Line during their most vacant moments (usually between the hours of 4 am and 6 am)." After Hurricane Sandy rolled in and completely destroyed the piers in 2012, the landscape was forever altered. Massaia decided to look at some old negatives, reprinted selected images from the series, and added some new shots for Afterlife II (2009–2018) which included the areas of Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, Atlantic City, and Wildwood New Jersey to document what was once "a wonderfully disturbing place."

There really is nothing left along the coastline of New Jersey to document when it comes to these amusement piers. Everything has become fairly homogenized and seems to have severed ties with the old carnival culture that once defined it. As a result, I wanted to dig into these overlooked negatives as much as possible.

See more of Michael Massaia's work at his website.

Spirited Away Posters for Chinese Cinema Release

2019-06-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, which won the best animated feature Oscar in 2003, will debut June 21 in Chinese theaters 18 years after its release in Japan. The China release has been given a series of new posters designed by Huang Hai who previously created a poster for Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro, which opened in China in December of last year. Spirited Away is a magical tale centered around a young girl who enters the spirit world after her family's car breaks down in a mysterious forest.

Due mostly to long-standing political tension between China and Japan, none of Miyazaki’s works had been screened in the country before. Rampant video piracy, however, means that many Chinese people are already familiar with them. – South China Morning Post

Sculptural Cakes with a Graphic Style by A.R.D Bakery

2019-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

London based cake design studio A.R.D Bakery specializes in bespoke cakes and chocolates with a unique, graphic style. The bakery is the creation of Alison Dunlop who has a Sculpture degree at Glasgow School of Art and an MA in fashion accessories at the prestigious Royal College of Art. She spent 10 years working in the industry designing bags, shoes, and jewelry for many high-end brands before moving into cake design. She states:

I come from a family of home bakers, famed at the local fetes and bake sales, but hadn't considered it as a career until maternity leave sparked an interest in experimenting how to put together classic baking with a design-led high-end fashion aesthetic. Further experimentation in chocolate work led incorporating bold, graphic patterns, strong colors and a fun playful look.

Dunlop combines bold graphic prints with hand-painted chocolate work to create her unique style with inspiration coming from architecture, lighting design, textiles, graphic design as well as print and sculpture. You can see more of her work at her website or on Instagram.

NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander by LEGO

2019-06-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

Developed in cooperation with NASA to mark the 50th anniversary of this historic event, the LEGO NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander building set features a highly detailed replica of Apollo 11's Eagle lunar module, plus a depiction of the lunar surface, complete with crater, footprints and a U.S. flag. The descent stage comes with gold-colored landing pads and panels, opening camera and laser hatches, and a ladder, while the ascent stage has a detailed interior with room for 2 astronauts. The lunar lander set goes on sale for $99.99 in LEGO retail stores and online.

Street Artist in Venice by Banksy

2019-05-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Street artist Banksy has set up an unlicensed street stall in Venice with a selection of paintings showing the lagoon with an enormous cruise ship docked near St. Mark's Square. In his secretive style, a camera captures unsuspecting pedestrians voicing their opinions about the work before the display catches the attention of the police who quickly asks the vendor (possibly Banksy himself) to move along. The hilarious but realistic take is based on the city's long battle with cruise ship companies and their desire to park these huge boats near the center to make it easy for the tourists to swarm the city.

See more of Banksy's work at his website or on Instagram.

House Inside a Rock by Amey Kandalgaonkar

2019-05-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

This concept house embedded inside a rock by Shanghai-based architectural designer Amey Kandalgaonkar was inspired by the Mada’in Saleh rock tombs in Saudi Arabia. Kandalgaonkar spent a significant amount of time creating the rock in 3D and cutting into it using concrete slabs to develop the look of the modernist home. He states:

Considering the visual complexity of the rocks at Mada’in Saleh, it was imperative to use simple planes and cubes in order to achieve a visual balance. I started out creating the rock in 3D software which in itself was a sculpting process. Later when inserting the house into this rock, I tried to keep its visual impact from eye level as minimum as possible and only when observed from a birds eye, the real extent of the intervention is revealed.

See more of Amey Kandalgaonkar's work on Instagram.

Whimsical Street Art by Cal

2019-05-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

French artist Cal, based in Lyon, incorporates the city's urban features into his humorous street art by adding cartoon illustrations into statues, vents, iron plates, peeling walls, weeds, and abandoned objects. He transforms what people usually ignore into whimsical art in an effort to brighten up his city. Cal has been doing this for three years and he shares his creations on Instagram.

Paintings on Discarded Cardboard by Julio Anaya Cabanding

2019-04-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

Madrid-based street artist Julio Anaya Cabanding reproduces classic masterpiece paintings on discarded packaging. The pictorial interventions gives new life to these cardboard pieces which would have ended up in recycling or on landfill. Inspired by the works of old masters, Cabanding essentially frees the paintings on museum walls and places them on detritus materials with uncanny detail, giving them new meaning while also allowing the viewers to see the classic paintings in a different way.

See more of Julio Anaya Cabanding's work at his website on or Instagram.

Home Shower Unit for Your Dog by S2VICTOR

2019-04-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Pet Styler, by Seoul-based studio S2VICTOR, is an all-in-one shower unit designed for your dog. The unit, which resembles a front-loading washing machine, dispenses mist and shower solution tanks thoroughly washes your dog's fur. Warm air is then expelled by the unit to dry your pet. The machine has a control panel on the front which allows the owner to adjust the shower and drying settings. The device should provide a welcome relief to anyone facing the challenge of washing their dog after a muddy walk and having mud splattered on the bathroom walls.

See more of S2VICTOR's work here.

Jewel Changi Airport by Safdie Architects is Completed

2019-04-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

The new central connector between the existing airport terminals at Singapore Changi Airport is set to open on April 17, 2019. The 10-story Jewel Changi by Safdie Architects is a mixed-use development with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall as its centerpiece surrounded by the Forest Valley, a terraced garden attraction that offers many spatial and interactive experiences for visitors. Around the garden are more than 280 stores and restaurants on five levels, which features access to the garden via a series of vertical canyons. At the apex of Jewel’s glass roof is an oculus that showers water down to the center of the building at more than 10,000 gallons per minute during peak conditions and transforms into a light and sound show in the evening.

Jewel represents an innovation in the world of lifestyle/retail design, with a one-of-a-kind relationship between garden and marketplace. In addition, nowhere in the world has a building been constructed that integrates the public realm with an airport facility so closely. The building extends Changi Airport’s principal function as a transit hub, to a public gathering space for Singaporeans and international travelers, establishing a new model for airports as discrete destinations for shopping, entertainment, and social activity.