Totally wowed!

James Blake - Retrograde

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

I love James Blake's new single: Retrograde!

Caro Emerald - Tangled Up

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Caro Emerald's long awaited new single Tangled Up has a great tango vibe over it. Cool, for a tangodancer and tango DJ like myself!

Lianne La Havas - No room for doubt

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

I love her; great song!

Daniel von Weinberger...again.

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:23:00 +0000

On 7 july 2011 I wrote a post about the eccentric jewelry from Daniel von Weinberger.

In that post I asked myself the question wether the person I saw depicted really was the artist, since his creations and his appearance seemed so not matching and 'out of character'.

That remark or question apparently trigged the artist, since he posted a comment on that post, stating that he was INDEED totally real and that there were several videos on and with him to be found on YouTube.

Ofcourse I went straight away on YouTube and hereby post one of them here. Fascinating!! I love, love, love his work!

Asia in images, by FIFO 2

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:01:00 +0000

Asia in images, by FIFO 2, a gallery on Flickr.

I am a great admirer from the pictures that Sabine Fink (from FIFO) makes.

Her hunger for pictures is unbelievable! She travels the world for them, she photographs nature, people, buildings, animals...whatever. You name it, she photographs it.

Sabine knows her cameras en lenses very well and uses them all. She is technically well. But not only technically. She 'has the eye' to see photographic opportunities around her, is able to capture 'the moment' and her pictures often have that warm, golden light.

On top of that she makes use of post-processing techniques. Not to mask for flaws, but for the fun of the creative process and to create even stronger and more unique images.

In this gallery you see some of her pictures that I like particularly. Enjoy!

Her images are for sale and she can also be hired for photo work, like portraits, product photography, etc. You can find her on Flickr (Sabine Fink) and contact her via her contact info there. Her prices are very reasonable;-)

Asia in images, by FIFO 1

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:01:00 +0000

Asia in images, by FIFO 1, a gallery on Flickr.

3D printing in fashion and design

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:20:00 +0000

Wow, 3D printing; what an innovative technique!!
Printingmachines using special powders that they build up into a 3Dshape.
For a demo and explanation, watch this video (in Dutch, sorry;-))

Several artists use(d) this technique to create fashion, design or art.
Some examples:

Dutch fashiondesigner Iris van Herpen makes the most unusual and amazing fashion, using innovative techniques and materials.

So outrageous and innovative that Lady Gaga has been spotted in one of her dresses! It seems like she is wearing shoes from Iris van Herpen as well.

Source: Fashion Blog

I love and admire Iris' work, because she is totally unique, daring and her fashion is really more then that: it is Art.

Her dresses that look as if the model is in a splash of water or covered in smoke are so original!

Source: Fashion Blog

Source: Style Today

Some other of Iris's creations:

Source: Pleatfarm

Source: design catwalk.

Another Dutch designer that made the most amazing dresses using the 3D technique is Marga Weimans. Her series of fairytale dresses was exhibited in a dutch museum.

Green landscape dress. Source: Studioca.files.

Source: studioca.files.

Dress from series: Wonderland. Image source: StyleGourmand.blogspot.

Image source: MargaWeimans.com, picture: Menno Bouma

But it's not only fashion designers that use the 3D printing technique, also e.g. interior designers. For objects like this lamp:

Image source: Deskeng.com.

Or these chairs.

Image source: i.materialise.com

The technique is said to be ideal for making prototypes and the first consumer-model is brought on the market recently.

Cool, isn't it?

How sweet is this???!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:44:00 +0000

Isnt this an amazing bunch; a beautiful, relaxed dog, a gorgeous cat that keeps its cool and a whole lot a cutesy chickens...being one big happy family. Fantastic;-).

Stephen Wright and his House of Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:28:00 +0000

As I wrote before: I am a big fan of outsider art or art brut. Years ago I read an article and saw pictures that impressed me a lot. It was a reportage about an artist who started decorating everything in and on his house. Mosaics, dolls, paintings and what not. Creating an extremely colorful house, totally according to what is my own motto as well: more is more. The house became a museum. I loooooved it and never forgot about it. Some months ago I tried to find it back, but I had forgotten the name of the artist. By chance I stumbled upon him and his art in a magazine yesterday.

His name is Steve or Stephen Wright and the house is called House of Dreams. It is outrageous, wild, cool and so very original and inspiring.

The artist and one of his most well known creations on the foreground, nowadays to be seen at Milagros, a shop in London. Image source: BrendanMcIntyre.net/blog

Image source: outsiderenvironments.blogspot.com

Image source: stephenwrightartist.co.uk

I also share his fascination for Mexican folk art. Image source: askant.com

Whenever I feel that my own 'pimping' maybe is a bit weird, I just think about Wrights art and I know that I'm still very minimal and modest in customizing and pimping stuff;-).

The Dutch blogger Henk van Es from Outsider environments wrote a nice blogpost about Stephen Wright and his House of Dreams.

This document is also an interesting read. As is this post on dulwichonview.org.uk.

Check out this Picasa Webalbum from his personal friend Sue Kreitzman, a very interesting and artistic lady herself. (More about her in another blogpost.)

Visiting the House of Dreams is definitely on my to-do-list!
What do you think about Wrights art? Are you fascinated, enchanted, impressed? Or is it way too much for you? Too over the top? Too campy?

Spreading happiness, kindness and originality

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:17:00 +0000

As we all know, life knows rhyme nor reason. Everybody has his or her own troubles and struggles; big or small.
Therefor I value messengers and messages of happiness, beauty, goodness and fun very highly. Not only do they help us through the day, but they also make the world a better place and the people in it better persons.
I am e.g. a big fan of Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah Winfrey. Source: castingnieuws.nl

Since years she brings positive messages to a huge, huge audience. Stories that inspire, surprise and touch people. Her Angel Network is fantastic. And her continious rewarding of persons who do good reinforces the idea that doing and being good is appreciated and returned. Even though this is in reality -unfortunately- not always the case, bringing that message over and over again MUST have a positive and inspiring effect on people all over the world. Whatever criticisme people may have on Oprah, I think she has definitely made the world a better place.

In the Netherlands we have a very inspiring young woman with highly original initiatives and ideas. Her name is Elena Simons.

Elena Simons. Source: inspiratiepost.nl

One of her projects is the Happy Company (in dutch: Het Blijbedrijf). Stimulating people to start local, very informal groups to do sort of flashmob-like actions that change the day of the people confronted with them. E.g. unemployed people ringing at the doors of wealthy people and awarding them with a nice fruitbasket. Explaining to them: "Thank you for paying so much taxes that I can be on welfare from that. I just wanted to give something nice back to you.". Or handing out free hugs to people taking the train to work in the morning.
Initiatives that put smiles on the faces of the people involved. And that make them feel and think positive (at least temporarily) about that day and/or about the world.

It may seem like nothing, but I am convinced of the power and contagious effects of being good and doing good. Of being original and positive. Of thinking outside the box.

Somebody who does something similar to Elena Simons is Patience Salgado. Aka KindnessGirl.

Patience Salgado. Source:Bahieh K.

She uses terms like Guerilla Goodness and slogans like Spread the Kindness and Kindness changes everything.
She does things like leaving a plant or flower in a public space with a note attached saying :"It's going to be OK.". Or during back-to-school season she leaves a gift certificate for an ice cream cone in the pocket of new backpacks at a department store.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/oprahs-lifeclass/Kindness-Girl-Patience-Salgado-Acts-of-Kindness_1/5#ixzz1eGJNISTe

My admiration for these three women is enormous. I find them so inspirational, original and cool!!! They are totally WOW.

And while we cannot all go around handing out free cars like Oprah does on her shows;-), we CAN all spread the kindness. Every day again, to whoever we encounter. And we can all get inspired and creative and do our own bit of Guerilla Kindness. Dare to be different, dare to be kind. For no other reason then just because....

Improving the world can start on a microscale. Let's all do our bit!!!

David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:40:00 +0000

David Sylvian; pretty boy, singer, guitarist and Ryuichi Sakamoto; pianist, became really famous with their song Forbidden Colours. Used in the impressive movie Merry Xmas, Mr. Lawrence.
The ambience around them and this song is a bit dark, avantgarde and melodramatic. I loved it back then and still find it a beautiful song.

David Sylvian worked with the famous Dutch photographer and cinematographer Anton Corbijn for his videoclips.
He still performs, singing and playing guitar.

Also Sakamoto still performs and works with other musicians, like here in the atmospheric song Diabaram with Youssou N'Dour.

What do you think of this music? Do you like their 'oldies' better?

Guerilla Kindness: The Great Ding Dong Ditch

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:01:00 +0000

Ideas for some Guerilla Kindness of your own:

Let me know what you did, and how it made you and the receiver feel....good luck with spreading the kindness!

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:34:00 +0000

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Simon's Cat in 'Double Trouble'

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:31:00 +0000

And it's time again for a new 'Simon's cat!

Pumped up kicks - Dubstep dancer

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:17:00 +0000

This guy's bodycontrol is unbelievable. Original choreo too; with the 'rewind' part at the end;-). Cool!

Haw Par Villa photoshoots

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:45:00 +0000

Haw Par Villa photoshoots, a gallery on Flickr.

This is a photo gallery I created on Flickr.

(Mind you: these are -unfortunately- NOT pictures taken by me).

These gorgeous and special pictures are taken @my number 1 spot in Sinagpore: Haw Par Villa.

They are shot by different people and can be found on Flickr.

DO click on each and every thumbnail to see the individual pictures larger in all their glory. WOW!

Gotye- Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)- official film clip (HD)

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:20:00 +0000

Great song! Love it. Cool clip too.

Umbilical Brothers - Guitar

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:53:00 +0000

They are soooo brilliant!

Driving Dog Prank - Just For Laughs Gags

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:47:00 +0000

JFL Hidden Camera Pranks & Gags: Beach Police

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:42:00 +0000

I lived in Montreal, Canada, for 6 years. A great city, by the way. Maybe not specially appealing to the tourist eye, but the nicest and coolest city to live in, in Canada.
One of the yearly highlights for me was the summer festival 'Juste pour rire' aka 'Just for laughs'. Open air theatre, free performances, buskers galore!!!
Often they also show the famous 'Just for laughs' gags in an open air cinema. Hidden camera pranks and gags. Some are more funny then others, but usually good for a lot of fun.
Check out this one:

A box and Maru 10

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:06:00 +0000

It's time for another Maru!

This time he plays wiyth a customised box and a toy. Very funny effect. Especially towards the end, when he wears the box as a jacket;-)

Roos Jonker : Dutch singer is a hit in Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 03:46:00 +0000

Just skip the short intro-interview in Dutch.
Dutch singer Roos Jonker sings 'New Dress'. She is a hit in Asia (Japan, Thailand, Taiwan) without ever having been there. Recently she was in Thailand for the first time and was surprised to meet real 'fans' there.

I'm Not Sleeping

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:22:00 +0000

This meercat tries to stay awake. So funny. Poor fellow (or gal);-)

Senior couple tapes themselves by accident

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:36:00 +0000

This couple accidentally recorded a video of them trying to take a picture with the webcam. Their granddaughter posted it on the web and the rest is history; it went viral.

And for good reason cause it's funny and endearing.

'Mountain man' sings the sweetest and closest harmony

noreply@blogger.com (Anja) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:51:00 +0000

Mountain Man are three sweet girls singing small, fragile songs in close harmony. Accompanied by the guitar.

The harmonies are so perfect. They have a unique sound, I think.

The next clip begins with a radio interview with Mountain Man. Interesting to get to know the girls a bit more. But if you are not into that, then skip to 6.10 min and the singing will begin there.

What do you think? Are you charmed, as I am? Or is it all a bit too sweet for your taste?