Wednesday 30 June 2010

Dog day afternoon with At-At


The following entertaining little animation is from Visual F/X media artist Patrick Boivin realizes his childhood dream of combining two things he never had while growing up a real dog and a Kenner AT-AT Walker.

Some readers may think that this video is made with the stop-motion technique but, one has to ask how can one stop-motion with living things in the background ?

In case your interested the Starwars At-At was an acronym for "All Terrain Armored Transport". Music by Blithe Field.

Monday 28 June 2010

Shem Fleenor's video of "Niobe" by Caribou




is an outstanding video that utilizes sublime and discomforting footage's of urban landscapes and architectures peppered with some abstract art, set to Caribou's "Niobe".

I find the video an inspiring conjunction with Caribou's music in that the tempo of the music  synchronizes beautifully especially with the night lights.

See more excellent videos by Shem Fleenor here, and or catch up with more of Caribou's music on myspace.

Sunday 27 June 2010

Timelapsus, video tribute to time lapse photography



This well produced time lapse animation begins with the recording and mapping sequence of the set and just as suddenly you may become, as I, absorbed by the punchy soundtrack, from Alex Mediavilla.

Directed by Physalia Studio,(Pablo Barquin, Mauro and Mark Gimferrer Coral) have used their experiences of 3D animation, motion graphics and visual effects. The creative group employed the use of a robotic camera, producing a cool video of time lapse media art.


Thursday 24 June 2010

Lino surfing, A phenomenal stop-motion animation


Here is a hypnotizing and coolly executed stop-motion animation  with the pursuit of perfect waves on linoleum in the plastic world, made by Karim Rejeb.

In a recent interview Karim  was asked about his influences:

"The Universe. We are moving somewhere in between the infinitely big and the infinitely small. What is the purpose then and what is our task? I still don’t know how it is possible when you’re there in the barrel, how many correlations of things to make that happen. Is there a reason? Is there someone at the head of it? Surfing is for me just a place where I get some answers to my questions."

At 15 frames a second and with a length of 7'35" means an extraordinary number  of set ups and set downs moving each shot a small enough distance to successfully intimate real continuous motion seems a somewhat Herculean task ! Nevertheless the amazing soundtrack from bluesmatty keeps us amusedly motivated and entertained throughout.





Tuesday 22 June 2010

WaveRoller concept video/animation


A new type of wave power technology has emerged that captures kinetic energy, using a specially designed bottom-mounted moving wing. The captured energy is converted to electricity using traditional technologies.

"The WaveRoller technology exploits surge phenomenon, a strong, ubiquitous and consistent natural phenomenon. The back and forth movement of surge moves the plate. The kinetic energy transferred to this plate is collected by a piston pump and energy generation potential is being captured and converted into electricity." Continue reading.

This type of carbon free wave power technology for electricity production is practically invisible by virtue of its undersea location and is distinctly different from other types of wave energy production in that it has the ability to generate energy on a wider spectrum of wave conditions.

Friday 18 June 2010

Frighteningly cool Aggressive Manoeuvres for Autonomous Quadrotor Flight

Researchers from the GRASP Lab, University of Pennsylvania demonstrate an autonomous quadrotor helicopter performing precise aggressive manoeuvres, flying through windows only 3 inches larger than itself and roosts on vertical surfaces.

According to its makers: "The quadrotor knows the location and orientation of the window from the motion capture system." And by virtue of its connection to an outboard wireless network computer, it uses multiple video cameras to provide very accurate attitude and position data.

While I was amused by the insectoid buzzing noises it makes as it stabilizes itself, its likely the precursor to new weapon in hostage/counter insurgency and counter terrorism?

Tuesday 15 June 2010

Pororoca, organic cool media art



Essentially, Pororoca was conceived as a music video, however I feel that its really a collaborative media art work between Scott Pagano (animation) and Laura Escude (sound design).

Violinist, composer and sound designer Laura Escude created the gloriously penchant Pororoca music piece, a track from her debut album similarly titled. Visit her website to listen to more of her cool tracks.

Animator and visual artist Scott Pagano was inspired by the forms and movement of marine micro organisms in so preping the hybrid organic and synthetic creatures that undulate and wander throughout his animation providing a concert tandem with the cinematic soundtrack.


Sunday 13 June 2010

LuminAR Bulb, AR pico projector/camera project concept


Natan Linder and Pattie Maes from the Fluid Interfaces Group at the MIT Media Lab have invented a very usable LuminAR Bulb, that can be used in either an ordinary desk lamp in place of an incandescent bulb and'or a fully autonomous Augmented Reality (AR) computer pico  projector/camera.

"The LuminAR Bulb combines a Pico-projector, camera, and wireless computer in a compact form factor. This self-contained system enables users with just-in-time projected information and a gestural user interface, and it can be screwed into standard light fixtures everywhere. The LuminAR Lamp is an articulated robotic arm, designed to interface with the LuminAR Bulb. Both LuminAR form factors dynamically augment their environments with media and information, while seamlessly connecting with laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. LuminAR transforms surfaces and objects into interactive spaces that blend digital media and information with the physical space."

Paula Aguilera and Jonathan Wiliams, produced a suavely slick video of the project  to create two convincing feasible products., one more easily producible than the robotic version.



The project was originally submitted to the Tony Stark - Audi Innovation challenge, a largely conceptual based competition. Please bear in mind that viewing the project's sponsor site is like a never ending journey of possibilities including the Tron 2 preview, motor-sport and other videos, images, and documents. Nevertheless without a reasonably fast internet connection your interest will likely fade - and even though I do it seems it were too slow for this cool slick interactive website !

Thursday 10 June 2010

Magnitka: Fast Motion Time Lapse video


is by Sasha Aleksandrov and shows the industrial process in the correct sequential order of technological operations in the manufacture of sheet steel at the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Combine in Moscow, Russia.

This delightfully constructed media art piece show a large scale industrial complex as a sprawling megalomania of disrupting architecture. Nevertheless this well made video is combined with the eloquent electronic music track, Totem by Klaus Schulze, which helps create a compelling experience.

Sasha believes he has produced a serious movie with a deep transcendental soderazhanie, alas that word remains meaningless to us but its probably the artist exercising his poetic justice ?

Tuesday 8 June 2010

Monsterbike; A Penny farthing on steroids !


Monsterbike looks like the most brutal bike you'll ever see. This wacky invention features a monster truck tire on the front, two tiny wheels on the back, and a ridiculously high seat. It looks as though it would have a turning circle of 2 miles !


You probably wouldn't want to be caught standing in front of it though, since it looks as if it would probably roll right over you with little more than a bump. I imagine it may very well be down right dangerous if it were motorized ?






Monday 7 June 2010

Swiss Invention for Oil contamination in the Gulf ?


Oil Treatment International (OTI) has invented a sustainable solution  for non-toxic bioremediation for cleaning up oil contaminated waterways. The video here is a documentary of one of their tests and explains exactly how their product could be deployed almost immediately in the Gulf oil spill.

OTI's product SOT11 acts in a  totally non-toxic way and acts as a natural mediator to reintroduce oil into the natural process of degradation without applying any bacteria, nitrates or phosphates.

OTI's product has been specifically created to decontaminate without generating waste. Their product focuses entirely on the bioremediation of oil spills on water bodies, oil spills on soil and shorelines as well as the cleaning of objects contaminated with oil.

Among the environmental safety features of this new substance, the product is designed to decontaminate without generating waste and does not interfere with the natural flora and fauna of coastal and inland waterways. Their solution of oil bioremediation is successfully finalized within 2-4 months of a given treated area.





The actual material SOT11 is made of naturally occurring compound minerals, but as one might expect a trade secret and according to their website:

"SOT 11 is composed of powdered natural and non-toxic materials. SOT 11 is a solid adsorbent, strictly inorganic." Furthermore, "The SOT powder is dusted on the film of crude oil or its heavier fractions. The Oil-SOT 11-complex sinks finely dispersed to the bottom of the water body within two to four hours, leaving the water clear and free of oil. The fine crude petroleum droplets in the SOT 11 sediment at the sea bed serve as substrate for microorganisms."

Since the oil flowing the gulf is on it's way around the Florida keys perhaps that might be a good place to begin dropping the granulate, at the very least to prevent it going further up the east coast ?

Saturday 5 June 2010

Ultra Slow Motion video from 2010 Maker Faire

Maker Faire has been described as a kind of  Do-it-Yourselfer's nirvana. Inventors and many of the DIY fraternity gather there to present their projects and products which range from the weird to the sublime. Some of the brightest minds and most amazing tinkerers gather in California for this annual event, which is sponsored primarily by Make magazine.

Nathan and 3ricj  made this cool ultra  slow motion video from this years Make Faire using the world's first CMOS-based high-speed camera capable of taking 1,000,000 pictures-per-second - the exotically expensive Phantom camera.



The music track is "Raise Riddim" by I.D. & Baobinga

Friday 4 June 2010

Nine legged Starfish does somersaults


Here we see a scuba diver revealing a starfish submerged in the seafloor. After the diver flips the critter over it moves into a plant like form then slothfully regains composure.

Starfish have no sharp demarcation between arms and central body, and usually move using their tube feet rather than wriggling movements of the whole arms, except after its been flipped.

Starfish belong to the classified group Asteroidea a species of the Phylum Echinodermata.  The starfish we see here is a Luidia Maculata. Tidechaser has some gorgeous images of the critter and its cousins here.

Most starfish are carnivore predators, feeding on sessile or slow-moving prey such as mollusks, clams, snails  and other starfish.


The color of the water in this video is so green and clear, it feels so scrumptious, unlike the nasty environmental degradation presently thwarting the Gulf.

Thursday 3 June 2010

Perching UAV Robots that Land and Cling to Walls


Hybrid aircraft researchers are developing flocks "of small, unmanned air vehicles flies quietly into a city, maneuvering among the buildings. They communicate as they search for places to land, not on streets or flat rooftops but on the sides of buildings and under the eaves, where they can cling, bat or insect-like, in safety and obscurity. Upon identifying landing sites, each flier turns toward a wall, executes an intentional stall and, as it begins to fall, attaches itself using feet equipped with miniature spines that engage small asperities on the surface. Using its propeller in combination with its limbs, the flier can creep along the wall and reorient for a better view. With opposed pairs of spines, the flier clings tenaciously to resist gusts of wind and ride out inclement weather. The fliers stay attached for hours or days, consuming little power and emitting no sound as they monitor the area. When finished, they launch themselves with a jump and become airborne again, ready for their next mission."

These remarkable robotic critters or hybrid moths were developed by Alexis Lussier Desbiens and Alan Asbeck from Stanford University .

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Rocketboom's Molly Meme Takes us on a spin of the Darwins

The image you see here is of Darwin island the smallest island in the Galapagos Archipelago. From there, Molly Meme takes us through a cool series of visual snapshots into the many things, mountains, sharks, frogs, islands and software all likely attributed with the famous Charles Darwin, the great realizer of Evolution.

Also shown us in the video are "South America map, Mt. Darwin, cordillera darwin4, cordillera darwin glacier, cordillera darwin panorama, marinelli glacier, Darwin Sound, mac os 10.6 box, apple tv, iphone, Thomas Henry Huxely pic, Orca, Darwin OS screen1, Darwin OS screen2, Darwin X-Men, Darwin comic art1, Darwin comic images, helicopter over island, galapagos islands map, tesla hat, tierra del fuego sat image, South America sat image."






More Rocketboom episodes available here;

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Historical Tweets: Marie Antoinette: Let Them Tweet Cake!


If you tweet on twitter as I do than you may enjoy this entertaining web toy site through which you can search for a moment or place or event or person in history and reinvent the twitter timeline.

"Books have been ruining history. So many unnecessary words.  Now, with Historical Tweets, history’s most amazing men and women can be fully understood, a mere 140 characters at a time."

Be sure to hit the random button at the top of the page for more historical tweets.

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