Text as Camouflage

Artist Liu Bolin explores issues involving identity and loss of the sense of self within Chinese society by camouflaging his subjects to blend into their surroundings. His series of photos, begun in 2005, are works of protest against the government, which shut down his studio.

Most intriguing are those subjects covered with text. The writing obscures the person, replacing  identity with a new, written message. To see more images of Bolin’s work, go to http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/3738/camoflague-by-liu-bolin.html

“Bookshelf Porn” for Bibliophiles Only

This blog stretches the definition of “pornography” to mean that which “excites and stimulates.” It will definitely grab the attention of book-lovers, but if you’re looking for something a little more steamy, check those emails in your spam box.

Here’s the link: http://bookshelfporn.com/

Muto, the Painted Animation

In still animation, each frame advances the story just a little bit. The frames move so quickly before your eyes that you barely notice they are individual images spliced together to create a “moving picture.” Here, the technique is sometimes visible, but all the more amazing because the images that move are painted, then scrubbed out as part of the narrative itself. This short film titled “Muto” is by the artist Blu, shot on walls in Buenos Aires and Baden, with a soundtrack by Andrea Martignoni. It is a totally captivating adventure.