Suburban Graffiti
Posted on March 4, 2008
Filed Under Photos / Pictures | 1 Comment
This photo was taken in one of my favorite neighborhoods to drive through. Really big expensive houses. It’s called I’On, and the smallest home there (3 bedroom) will cost you about $500,000. It’s a really exclusive neighborhood. That’s why I thought this bit of suburban graffiti was so funny.
Bottle Cap Art
Posted on February 29, 2008
Filed Under Art | 8 Comments
While visiting with my uncle at MUSC hospital, I saw this really neat work of art. Created from old bottle caps. See details about the painting below the pictures.
– - – - – - – - – -
– - – - – - – - – -
– - – - – - – - – -
– - – - – - – - – -
– - – - – - – - – -
– - – - – - – - – -
– - – - – - – - – -
About the Artist:
Molly B. Right was born in1963, in Greensboro, NC. She has lived in Charleston, SC since 1969. She began painting in 1993, and is self-taught.
About this Work:
This bottlecap portrait was specifically commissioned by MUSC (the Medical University of South Carolina) to celebrate the extraordinary career of Charleston’s own master blacksmith, Phillip Simmons (Born in 1912, and a lifelong Lowcountry resident)
Simmon’s work can be found all over the Charleston peninsula. His work can be found at the most expensive multi-million dollar mansions, and also in the poorest of Charleston’s neighborhoods.
Face in the Moon Photographed During Eclipse
Posted on February 22, 2008
Filed Under News | 1 Comment
Just a little more news about the total lunar eclipse two nights ago. I just saw this on the WCBD, my local NBC news station here in Charleston, SC. I did watch the lunar eclipse, and it was pretty spectacular, but a bit cloudy.
From the photographer, “I took this picture during the Eclipse from our house in Summerville, SC around 9:30pm. I was amazed to see a ‘face’ in the clouds looking down after I had zoomed in on the camera.”.
photo credit: Jan True
This is almost as good as the photo of the face in the clouds.
Satellite Shoot down and Lunar Eclipse: Action in the Sky Tonight
Posted on February 20, 2008
Filed Under News | 1 Comment
Update: It’s official. The missile has hit it’s target, and I swear, I could hear a rumbling outside my house about 15 minutes ago. I lived near Cape Canaveral for a year, and the sound was similar to that of a rocket breaking the sound barrier. Then again, it could have just been a plane.
With the lunar eclipse going on right now, and the plans for the military to shoot down the failed spy satellite tonight, there’s a lot going on up in the sky tonight.
From my backyard, the sky was partly cloudy, but the eclipse was still really amazing. It didn’t look anything like this photo though. It was actually a lot darker. At the peak, the sky went completely black.
Also tonight, we’re waiting to see what’s going to happen with the school bus sized spy satellite. Weather conditions are forcing military officials to delay the missile launch, but plans are supposed to be for around 10:30 PM EST.
I’m hearing that if you live in the northwestern part of the US, the missile strike may be visible to the naked eye, but for the rest of us, we’ll have to hope that someone captures the attempt on video.
Officials say that if they don’t hit the satellite tonight, they may try again tomorrow.
Human Bodies Exhibition: 10 Incredible Images
Posted on February 19, 2008
Filed Under Science | 15 Comments
I found out about “Bodies: The Exhibition” last week when I saw a report on ABC. Apparently, this is not the first time that exhibits similar to this one tour the US. Shows like this one have been pretty successful in the past, bringing more than 16 million visitors in 27 cities in Asia, Europe, Los Angeles and other US cities. I was excited to find out that “Bodies: The Exhibition” is showing right now about an hour away from where I live. I’ll be going next weekend.
Picture #1: The Football Player
The images I’ve found online are truly amazing. By the way the bodies are posed, it looks to me more like an art exhibition than anything else, which I think probably makes it a much more approachable experience. The exhibition is publicized as an educational event:
“This exhibition will provide the public with an opportunity to see inside carefully preserved anatomical specimens and learn the detailed structure and function of the human body. In this process, human tissue is permanently preserved using liquid silicone rubber that is treated and hardened.”
Picture #2: Cut in Half
For years, we have been able to watch and learn about the rest of the world’s species; hundreds of museums around the globe display specimens of animals, plants, and historical documents and what not. Finally, we are the ones on display.
Picture #3: Pregnant Woman
This, as to be expected has caused some controversy. “Bodies: The Exhibition” claims that the bodies of their exhibition are obtained through a legal, willed body donation program.
Picture #4: Cut in Half 2
Some people are questioning that this is actually true, arguing that several of these bodies might have been illegally obtained through the Chinese government. I really hope that this is not true. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to seeing the exhibition and I am considering bringing my 3 year old daughter with me (any advise on this from the people that have seen it?).
Picture #5: Babies
A summary of the Polymer Preservation process:
A body is dehydrated by submersing it in acetone. Then, it is placed in a solution that consists of a mixture of liquid silicone polymer and crosslinker.
Picture #6: Holding his own skin
After this, the specimen is placed into a vacuum chamber where it is subjected to a gradual increase in vacuum pressure that produces a specimen that is now completely impregnated with liquid silicone even down to the cellular level.
Picture #7: Skateboarder
Finally, the body must be cured to allow for its permanent display. The end product is a dry, odorless body that resists decomposition (sounds like a pretty potent deodorant) thus allowing its user to create a unique collection of permanently preserved human specimen for public exhibition.
Picture #8: Guts
Picture #9: Face
Bodies can then be displayed without formaldehyde or glass containers, so visitors can come within inches of exposed organs.
Picture #10: Full Body
If you’re in any of these areas: Hartford, CT, Sarasota, FL, Kansas City, Sacramento, CA or Redding, CA, check out the Bodies Revealed Exhibition site for info and dates.