Yesterday I went to London's Science Museum. One of their current exhibitions was called "Plasticity: 100 Years of Making Plastics." I thought this sounded pretty darn cool. I tend to dig semi-geeky things.
ANYway... this photo is of one of the niftiest items in the exhibit: the Volivik Bic Biro chandelier, made in 2007. It's exactly what you think it is: a working chandelier constructed from 347 recycled, black Bic ballpoint pens -- and 347 paper clips. It was one of 30 made by a Spanish design company (enPieza) as a homage to classic plastic design (the barrels of the Bic pens are made of polystyrene).
I love when people use unexpected, found or recycled materials to make something that's otherwise ordinary. In fact, I didn't even realize this chandelier was all pens and paperclips until I read the accompanying description.
That's why this is my "Pic Of The Week."
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Today I went to see "Bodyworlds" at London's O2 Millenium Dome. In case you don't know, "Bodyworlds" is a pretty amazing exhibition of actual human bodies that were donated to science and put through the somewhat controversial "plastination" process invented by the [slightly creepy] German Dr. Gunther von Hagens. In short, plastination uses reactive polymers injected into cells to halt decomposition and allow detailed study and display of the body. This photo was taken in the city of Bruges, which is in Belgium. In between eating binges in chocolate shops I shot this pic -- I dig it because if you look in the lower portion of the shot you'll notice a doorway that leads directly into the canal. I'm guessing there used to be a small platform or dock next to it, but it's more fun to imagine there wasn't. That's why it's my Pic Of The Week. This Halloween my husband and I carved a jack-o-lantern together. This was old stuff for me, but my sweet, British hubbie had NEVER carved a pumpkin for Halloween -- EVER. |