In an amusing semi-autobiographical stop-motion animation entitled “Freaks of Nurture” by filmmaker Alexandra Lemay, a young woman needing career assistance calls her mom for advice. Her mother is happy to hear from her daughter but is unable to give her full attention due to the many responsibilities she’s voluntarily taken on, such as the care…
Bewildered Man Finds Himself Looking For Existential Answers From a Rather Talkative Talking Tree
In the wonderfully surreal short film “The Talking Tree” by Stefan Hunt and Matthew Webb, a young man (Eka Darville of Jessica Jones) was cutting through Central Park on a snowy day when he heard a voice calling out to him. The man turns around and is astonished to find that he’s talking to a…
Absurd Object Personifications Set in Motion
Russian filmmaker and graphic artist Vladimir Tomin has “Continued” his wonderfully surreal series of absurd object personifications that are set in motion in order to interact with the real world. This small collection of motion sketches was made to determine ratio of work/outcome for different approaches to motion/animation and of course to have fun in…
Exquisitely Detailed Papercraft Installations Inspired by Two Very Different Nobel Prize Winning Novels
Working with the Nobel Prize Museum on their “Sharing Worlds” project at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation in Dubai, artisans Lucie Thomas and Thibault Zimmermann of the French design studio Zim & Zou (previously) have created papercraft installations inspired by the award-winning novels Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset and One Hundred Years…
Incredible Footage of the Great Annual Easter Fireworks Battle on the Greek Island of Chios
In 2008, Diagonal View posted incredible footage of Rouketopolemos, the great annual fireworks battle on the Greek island of Chios. This long-running tradition takes place between two rival congregations on the island right before Easter Sunday and lights up the sky with over 50,000 fireworks. The even was temporarily put on hold in 2016 but…
How to Make a Mini Robotic Bug From Household Items
Joshua Donald of JoshBuilds shared a very simple way to build a mini long-legged robotic bug toy that’s mostly made of easily accessible household items. Other items include a couple of small batteries, a vibrating motor, and LED lights for the eyes. How to make a toy robotic bug at home. This is a simple…
Artist With Background in Neurology Etches Microscopic Interpretations of Brain Patterns Onto Gold Leaf
A creative episode of SciFri takes a look at Dr. Greg Dunn who embodies a rare combination of talents in both art and science, specifically neurology. Using that experience, Dunne creates beautifully realistic, microscopic Japanese-inspired gold leaf etchings. Each piece gives a glimpse into how Dunn sees the organization of neurons within patterns of the…
How to Gently Teach a Cat to Walk on a Leash
The wonderful Robert Dollwet of Malibu Dog Training aka CATMANTOO (previously) offers some very helpful hints and guidance around teaching a cat how to walk on a leash. It’s not as easy as teaching a dog, so a little patience and some yummy treats are in order. For their safety, keep cats indoors, teach them…