Beyond blending in

I’ve seen photos of people wearing experimental, electro-flexible plasma “clothing” that projects the scene directly to the rear, giving the (near) illusion of looking right through the wearer, but the technology has yet to be perfected. While an interesting proof-of-concept, I’m more impressed by the trompe-l’œil work of artist Desiree Palman. You really have to look two or three times at some of her photos to find the human hidden within. (And there really is one, too!)

Who doesn’t have days when this ability would be welcome relief?

Battle gratitude

You have to admire (and, at times, tremble before) the depth and complexity of reciprocal thanking in Japanese culture.

Sometime last year I asked a favor of Yumi’s mixi friend Daijiro. (They found each other on the Japanese social-networking site through happenstance, each having the same last name.) He’s an artist by trade and I’ve always enjoyed the work he posts, so I asked if he wouldn’t mind doing a couple of quick logo mock-ups for me. Daijiro was more than happy — downright enthusiastic is more like it — to get on board and pretty soon I had a whole slew of graphics flooding my in-box.

I wanted to send Daijiro a thank-you gift but had a hell of a time trying to buy a gift certificate from the U.S. that could be redeemed in Japan. I thought he might appreciate some music from the U.S. iTunes store (since he’s a musician and avid music lover, not to mention that songs available for purchase through iTunes are different depending on where you live). After a bit of sniffing around I discovered how to circumvent the system, and soon had an iTunes gift card in the mail to Japan.

A few days passed, we went to Maui with Yumi’s mom, and upon our return Yumi had this super sweet manga-of-appreciation awaiting in her email. How cool is that? The only thing now is I have to consider how far I’m willing to carry out this “battle gratitude”, a veritable tit-for-tat of indebtedness. But who am I kidding? I’m culturally outgunned and don’t stand a chance.

Color my world

Tickle your fancy (and grab a few delightful desktop images while you’re at it) over on swirlingthoughts’ Flickr page. (link)

Tim Biskup

I’ve recently become a big fan of Tim Biskup’s pop-surrealist visions. A lot of his stuff — this poster especially — reminds me of the Magic Kingdom attraction posters which line the entrance tunnel to Main Street U.S.A. There’s more good stuff for your viewing pleasure on his website.

(Some clever faux-Disney attraction posters…)