Radical X-Ray Art

"QUANTUM SHOT" #162(rev) Link - by Avi Abrams From Gothic to Eerily Beautiful If you have nothing to hide... or if you did not had to go through airport security screenings too often in the recent past, then you will be really thrilled to see a bunch of X-ray photos, creatively transformed into art. Here are a few examples of this newly burgeoning stylistic - with a morbid predominance of bones and skeletons (for an obvious reason) and some unexpectedly flowery designs wrought on a dark x-ray film medium: (left image credit: Bert Myers, right - Nick Veasey) Exploring unusual media of X-rays (ideally suited for his dark, H. R. Giger-inspired compositions), Yury Shpakovski creates stunningly intricate, sophisticated works. See his site for more examples and to order prints. (images credit: Yury Shpakovski) X-Ray Nature Photography When used as art, X-rays seem to reveal the hidden beauty of natural forms, structures and symmetry not visible to the human eye, the world of ephemeral and eerie shapes - of which we are largely unaware... Judith McMillan's flowers & plants: (images credit: Judith McMillan) George Green's various seashells: (images credit: George Green) (images credit: Steven Meyers) Flowers "Kiss": (image credit: Nick Veasey) And then there is... a human kiss: (images credit: Wim Delvoye) Wim's site is full of creative projects; one can get lost there for hours... Here is a gothic combination of X-ray shots and stained glass (there is something spiritual in this...) (images credit: Wim Delvoye) X-Ray Stingray looks even more radical than a live one Not only is this a mesmerizing and wonderful picture, but the whole new species - Amazon Freshwater "Pancake" Stingray - has been just discovered, more info. "It tells us is that there are quite likely to be other large fishes in the Amazon yet to be discovered and described": (X-ray of Heliotrygon gomesi, preadult male. Credit: Ken Jones, via) See-through Technology An ordinary thing, such as a laptop keyboard, can be imbued with ethereal beauty, thanks to X-ray photography (try to tell it to the Airport Security, these guys are largely immune to such sentiments): (image credit: Nick Veasey) Photographer Nick Veasey has a lot more technological X-ray marvels on this site (some of them can even reveal how things work): (images credit: Nick Veasey) See more at this National Geographic's gallery. Enhancing X-Ray Reality... ... with his own drawings: Dutch artist Ben Kruisdijk is adding flowers to X-ray photos, making human bones bloom from inside out - (images credit: Ben Kruisdijk) Thinking of teddy bears - (image credit: Ben Kruisdijk) I see what you ate here Here is a picture of some poor cat swallowed whole by a python - more info: (image via) What have you listened to recently? (The Big Brother knows): (images credit: Nick Veasey) This last image reminds me of a strange fact in the history of underground rock music in Soviet Russia. During the "stagnation decades" of the 1970s and 80s there were very few official rock music records, so rock-hungry fans had to invent another way to get their musical fix. Photography studios at the time had the technology to etch sound grooves into photographic prints. These round photographs were called "Memories from the Beach", or "Musical Postcard". Soon communists noticed unnaturally long line-ups to photo studios and a huge demand for a glossy photographic paper. Eventually, when the photographic paper disappeared from Soviet stores, ever-so-creative music fans started using x-ray prints from local clinics (there were plenty of used prints available)... And so the story of Russian rock music was literally written on the "skulls and bones" of X-ray prints. Perhaps this little story will inspire modern artists to use this dark and glossy medium with renewed enthusiasm. READ THE REST OF OUR ART CATEGORY -> Share Tweet

Harley-Davidson Blackline: Exclusive DRB Interview

"QUANTUM SHOT" #703 Link - by Avi Abrams Back to the Basics: Lean as wire, hard as iron and dark as a tar road at midnight This is Blackline, the newest motorcycle in Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom family. Designed for our post-everything, back-to-the-basics times, Blackline adds more fuel to the Dark Custom movement that young riders have embraced in record numbers. We've arranged for the exclusive interview with Harley-Davidson's Dark Custom team to answer questions about this amazing new motorcycle’s unique, authentic approach; and why young riders are gravitating toward the Dark Custom machines. DRB: It seems this bike's attitude is rooted in Depression era; what are the bikes that inspired it, back in the Harley-Davidson catalogue? Amanda Lee, Harley-Davidson Motor Company: The Blackline motorcycle embodies an attitude of rebellion and defiance that takes its cues from the rogue roots of Harley-Davidson’s 108-year history. (Photographs courtesy of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company Archives.) Blackline is understated and yet classic; you’ll see styling elements inspired by many of its Big Twin predecessors from as early as the 1920s. For example, the Horseshoe Oil Tank was inspired by the original on the 1936 EL. The black rims on the wheels also hearken back to the 1930s. A unique styling element of the Blackline are the black cylinders with gray heads, topped with a black rocker top – this is seen on certain Panhead and Shovelhead models of the 1950s and ‘60s. Minimalist styling, stripped-down, barely-legal and chopped elements The black primary cover with chrome clutch cover is reminiscent of what appeared on the Big Twins in the late 1940s through the 1960s. The round air cleaner you see on the Blackline is also found on the Softail Cross Bones – this is a styling element that originated in the 1940s and was used all the way up to the Evolution era of the 1980s and ‘90s. Up front and tucked into the frame, the black headlamp replicates the standard appearance on Harleys from the World War 1 years all the way up to the late 1940s, after which they were chromed. The lower black fork legs are slightly reminiscent of the 1949 Hydra Glide front end because that was the original, modern FL front end. The slammed speedo on the handlebars is pre-1936 and delivers a sporty look. Other styling elements come from more than just Harley-Davidson history, taking authentic cues from motorcycle culture as well. The chopped rear fender made famous by post-WWII riders is bobbed high-and-tight over a slim 144mm tire. DRB: I also notice some similarity to the popular British bikes from the 1970s, such as Norton Commando, Triumph T150, etc - powerful, youth-oriented freedom symbols. Is this intentional homage to these legendary machines? Actually, no. The Harley-Davidson Blackline motorcycle carries forward many styling cues that are unique to Harley-Davidson’s 108-year legacy, as noted in the previous answer. DRB: This is one beautiful lean, mean machine - many will notice design references to the 1930s and 1940s era of unadulterated rebel machines. Am I correct in assuming that Harley-Davidson designers tapped that stylistic niche to market machines to modern often-disillusioned post-everything youth? Riders have always related to Harley-Davidson in ways that are authentic to their generation. Years back, we recognized a growing movement among young riders that reflected the “back to basics” mentality, focusing more on customization through minimalization. We were excited to see this happening because so much of what young riders were embracing came from the rogue roots of Harley’s history. So in 2008, we shined the light on this movement and we named it Dark Custom. The Blackline motorcycle is part of Dark Custom. Dark Custom embodies minimalist styling, stripped-down, barely-legal and chopped elements, a rough and raw attitude and blacked-out engine components that are meant to be ridden hard and put away dirty. Basically, Dark Custom is about stripping away the embellishments that don’t define today’s younger generation of riders and exposing the bike in a way that allows riders to make their own statement. The Blackline is basically a light-weight Softail, stripped down lean and raw. It is not a sport bike, but certainly is athletic. A motorcycle for all those who run by their own moral code. It’s for riders who know who they are, and answer to no one. In terms of the bike’s personality, the Blackline is a motorcycle for all those who run by their own moral code. It’s for riders who know who they are, and answer to no one. The Blackline celebrates a spirit of defiance and irreverence that defines Dark Custom – it’s pared to the bone, stripped to the legal limit, and is the perfect balance of allegiance and rebellion with a look that’s honest, functional and attainable. Simply put – it brings together a trifecta of mechanical beauty, internal combustion and the long black line of the road ahead. DRB: What Dark Custom line consists of, and will there be further Dark Custom entries? Six motorcycles make up the Dark Custom line – the Nightster, Cross Bones, Iron 883, Forty-Eight, Street Bob and Fat Bob (go to www.harley-davidson.com/darkcustom to learn more and see the bikes) Of course the economic climate over the past few years has been challenging, but the incidence of motorcycling among young adults is growing, and Harley-Davidson has been growing its market share leadership among this age category. We are the leader among young adults ages 18-34 in U.S. street bike market share. The Blackline is priced at an affordable U.S. MSRP of $15,499 in Vivid Black. DRB: What is your favorite bike stunt / movie sequence? Well, I have to say that Evel Knievel is my all time favorite motorcycle daredevil. I had the chance to spend some time with his son, Kelly Knievel, for an exhibit that we hosted at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee last year, and it was amazing to hear some of Kelly’s first-hand stories about his dad’s rise to fame. I don’t know if it’s considered a “stunt” scene, but the funniest motorcycle movie moment is when Pee-Wee Herman knocks over an entire row of motorcycles in the movie “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” The bikers run outside and grab him – he’s such a nerd, and he thinks he’s going down, but in the end they all end up being buddies. DRB: If this bike had a character/personality, what would it be, and what are the best words to describe its typical rider? The Blackline embodies a place and time in your life when you aren’t looking back and you’re not looking forward. You just ARE. You answer to no one. You run by your own moral code. And you have one helluva good time doing it. (Photographs courtesy of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company Archives.) CONTINUE TO "MAGNIFICENT MOTORCYCLES"! -> READ MORE FROM THE MOTORCYCLES SERIES -> Share Tweet

Alkali Metals vs. Water

Link Scroll down for today's pictures & links. Alkali Metals vs. Water Alkali metals can be cut like butter but they positively hate water... Do we even have to say, do not repeat it at home? Link Today's pictures & links: Playboy's Land Yacht! What a design... Why didn't they make it? It would fit perfectly with the "1980s Decade of Excess". Designed by legendary Syd Mead, more here: (image via) ------------ A portrait in the making (original unknown) ------------ This child becomes a bride tonight (image credit: Stephanie Sinclair, National Geographic) Given in marriage at 5, and already divorced... at 10 year old! "Too Young to Wed" - a shocking investigation by National Geographic and a photo set by Stephanie Sinclair. ------------ Mixed fresh links for today: Must Read: Why Movies Look Crappy Nowadays - [by Roger Ebert] More Rare Color Photos from Great Depression - [gallery] The Evolution of... Plastic Lids - [weird collection] Pencil vs. Camera: Cool Idea - [photography] A Graveyard for Ice Cream - [weird] Tornado rips apart house, bank, cars - [wow videos] Gramophone iPod Station - [retro gear] Poor Deer Can't Get Out, Trashes Bar - [wow video] Making iPad even more magical - [fun video] Silly, Hilarious Shampoo Prank! - [fun video] Battling Moscow Traffic on a Bike - [wild ride video] Storm Front: Huge "Mothership" - [wow video] The Most Beautiful Campuses - [compilation] ------------ Parametric Style: Radical Architecture by Zaha Hadid "Hadid was born in 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq. She received a degree in mathematics from the American University of Beirut before moving to study architecture in London" - see more projects here. Absolutely gorgeous, flowing shapes... In 2004 Hadid became the first female recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, architecture's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. (images credit: Zaha Hadid) ------------ Ugh! Get this away from me!!! (Fredric March as Dr. Jekyll in 1932 version of "Jekyll & Hyde" - via) Play this game (when you're bored): enlarge this picture to full screen and bring something yucky/gross close to the monitor... ------------ "The Anywhere Organ" by Matthew Borgani "I make things, and I make things awesome", says Borgani. In this case, we do agree. This enormous mobile interactive musical sculpture is called The Anywhere Organ, and it falls in the same category as other Architectural Structures as Musical Instruments that we covered on DRB - see more steampunk-flavored works on his site: (image credit: http://har.ms/) ------------ "Peas of Mind" A beautiful example of surreal / creative photography by Vanesa Munoz: (image credit: Vanesa Munoz) ------------ Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol... (original unknown) ------------ Your ship has arrived "Last summer on our road trip in Balkan area we came across this weird concrete ship in the middle of Albanian countryside..." - says Joonas Antikainen, who sent us this picture with a title "What?!..." (image credit: Joonas Antikainen) ------------ Classic chess can be boring. This is anything but. (original unknown) ------------ "Dark Roasted Blend" T-Shirts for Summer! Buy them here! ------------ READ THE PREVIOUS ISSUE -> Share Tweet Share->