Tag: FANTASY

Frozen soap bubbles create scenes from a fantasy world

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In a recent episode of DPReview TV, new host (and mad scientist) Don Komarechka introduced us to the magical world of frozen soap bubbles. Take a look at some of the fantastical images he captured.

View the frozen soap bubble sample gallery

This was a really fun video, so if you missed it you’ll want to give it a watch. You can see it below or watch it on YouTube.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

March 25, 2020
Fantasy is Now Reality: Twisting Tree-Covered Callebaut Tower Taking Shape

[ By SA Rogers in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

We’ve seen lots of dazzling concepts by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut, most of which seem far too fanciful to ever actually materialize, but his twisting high-rise tower in Taipei is finally taking shape in three dimensions. ‘Tao Zhu Yin Yuan’ is about halfway complete, pivoting on a central axis for a layout that enables outdoor space brimming with greenery on every floor. Scheduled for completion in September 2017, the residential tower will support 23,000 trees absorbing up to 130 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

The tower is conceived as a ‘inhabited tree,’ set upon a circular footprint with towers extending from the core in a double helix shape. From the north or south, it looks like a pyramid, while east and west views give onlookers a fuller idea of the building’s scale. It will contain 40 luxury apartments and additional facilities, and is set to meet LEED gold status as well as diamond-level Low Carbon Building Alliance certification.

Callebaut is known for proposals that emphasize sustainability, self-sufficiency, the inclusion of vegetation and eye-popping shapes. Examples include his dragonfly-wing-shaped urban farm, the Lilypad floating city concept, the ‘Asian Cairns’ residential towers and a series of futuristic ‘smart towers’ aiming to reduce pollution and create renewable energy while integrating into existing built environments.

Most of these concepts either appear too wild and expensive to developers and investors to inspire confidence for real-world success, or rely on theoretical technology that hasn’t been fully developed or proven. But nobody can accuse Callebaut of limiting his own creativity in the way he envisions the future of architecture, in a world where the choices we make for our cities directly impact our ability to withstand the consequences of climate change.

“In 2050, we will be 9 billion of human beings on our blue planet and 80% of the world population will live in megacities,” says Callebaut. “It’s time to invent new eco-responsible lifestyles and to repatriate the nature in our city in order to increase the quality of our life with respect of our environment.”

Jenga-Like Twisting Tower Won’t Leave Neighbors in the Shade

In order to get around strict city zoning regulations that forbid new structures from putting neighbors in the shade for more than two hours a day, architecture firm MVRDV devised a tower that …

Recycled Skylines: 8 Green Urban Tower Typologies for 2050

Exploring eco-friendly strategies for cities, this series of conceptual ‘Smart Tower’ skyscrapers and mid-rise structures incorporates design elements to reduce pollution, create renewable energy …

Tree-Inspired Tower: Condo Balconies Unfurl Like Leaves

An iconic new mixed-use development in the heart of Montpellier in southern France, L’Arbre Blanc (The White Tree) grew out of a design concept tied to the outdoor traditions of this temperate …

[ By SA Rogers in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

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November 29, 2016
Benjamin Von Wong’s Shark Shepherd photoshoot captures an underwater fantasy

Photo by Benjamin Von Wong

Photographer Benjamin Von Wong has released photos and a video from his new Shark Shepherd photo shoot, which features a model in a white dress in the sea as sharks swim nearby. The shoot took place in Fiji and aims to expose a less-often seen side of sharks as peaceful creatures. ‘I wanted to create a series of images that would help break those stereotypes and show that it is possible for us to co-exist together in perfect harmony,’ said Von Wong in a post on his blog.

In his PIX 2015 talk, Benjamin Von Wong discusses his journey from taking what he describes as ‘ordinary’ photos to creating ‘extraordinary’ imagery. Throughout his career, he’s made a name for his surreal images that blend practical elements, fantastic locations and post-processing. For Shark Shepherd, nothing has been added in post-processing – the photo shoot features model Amber Bourke, a champion free diver, with assistance provided by divers Steve Hathaway and Kris McBride. According to Von Wong, the shoot took place over three days with more than six hours of waiting for curious white tipped reef sharks to swim up close. The sharks were described as being like ‘squirrels at a park,’ getting close out of curiosity but darting away quickly when someone moved.

Benjamin Von Wong profile, part 1: Engineering a Dream

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 20, 2016
Architecture of Your Dreams: 11 More Surreal Fantasy Structures

[ By Steph in Architecture & Houses & Residential. ]

While a spaceship-like pod balancing upon four impossibly tiny poles may not be the most realistic architectural concept ever proposed, some of these innovative fantasy structures from artist Dionisio Gonzalez make us wonder, ‘why not?’ Curving cast concrete forms interact with geometric volumes tilted at odd angles, and faceted glass and metal shapes hover off the ground in what look to be modular parametric designs. Other homes seem like contemporary buildings that have been taken apart like building blocks and put back together slightly off-kilter.

Perhaps architects and engineers could confirm whether or not any of these surreal architectural visions could actually be built. Entitled ‘Trans-Actions,’ the new series consists of raised residences with complex shapes, some seeming to take a common motif from contemporary architecture and simply repeat it over and over again in slightly different ways. Many seem to balance precariously upon the earth, as if one strong wind could blow them right off their foundations.

Each one is a bit past its prime, with surfaces that have gotten dirty or weathered over time. Half-dead vegetation clings to balconies as if nature is beginning to take back over, suggesting that what we are looking at is actually the remains of a structure no longer in use.

Gonzalez previously released a series of post-apocalyptic shell-like structures envisioned for Dauphin Island, a locale off the coast of Alabama that keeps getting slammed by storms. Check out 35 more bizarre and intriguing examples of ‘impossible architecture.’

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Architectural Fiction: 35 Impossibly Surreal Structures

Unbound by gravity, the need for structural soundness or any sense of real-world aesthetics, architecture becomes like a life form of its own, multiplying and …
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Surrealist Disaster-Proof Structures for Dangerous Locations

Some spots are such beautiful potential locations for a home, yet repeated natural disasters make them inhospitable for all but the strongest and most durable …
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Cinematic Structures: Illustrating Famous Film Architecture

Some cinematic experiences are defined by their built environments, be it the minimalist architectural plan outlines of Dogville or the lavish Mid-Century …
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[ By Steph in Architecture & Houses & Residential. ]

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July 10, 2015
Dreamscapes: Handmade Fantasy Environments by JeeYoung Lee

[ By Steph in Drawing & Digital. ]

One tiny 3-by-6-meter space has had dozens of different dreamlike incarnations as hand-crafted fantasy settings by Korean artist JeeYoung Lee. At times, it takes months for JeeYoung to transform her studio to match up with the image in her mind as she builds all of the elements, piece-by-piece, to create the surreal scene.

Built like a set for a film or play, these temporary dream rooms are packed with handmade props created from paper, wood, cardboard and other materials. JeeYoung re-paints the studio, crafts and assembles all of the strange items she requires for each scene, and carefully sets them up for a single photographic result.

The artist inserts herself into each image, not so much as a self-portrait but as an active participant – like a character in a story, or perhaps the dreamer of each strange dream. Not wanting to be a distraction from the spectacular settings, she typically turns her head away from the camera. Sometimes, she’s hard to spot among all of the chaos of the space.

“Her creations act as a catharsis which allows her to accept social repression and frustrations,” explains her artist bio at Opion Gallery. “The moment required to set the stage gives her time to meditate about the causes of her interior conflicts and hence exorcise them; once experienced, they in turn become portents of hope.”

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Amazingly Strange Handmade Dolls, Puppets & Sculpture

Not all dolls are for children – as evidenced by the incredibly bizarre and amazing art dolls, puppets and sculpture of these 15 artists.
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Nightmare & Dream Designs: 12 Cities of Sci Fi & Fantasy

Some of these otherworldly cities are the products of dreams and nightmares while others are sci-fi and fantasy creations, but all of them are surreal.
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Hyperphotos: Architectural Hybrids Remix Built Environments

There is something almost mystical (or mythical) about these photographic collages, at once apparently realistic in content and seemingly impossible in …
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[ By Steph in Drawing & Digital. ]

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January 13, 2015
The World of Fantasy: 40 Surreal Abstract Photography Examples

The concept of abstract photography is what appears to the eyes as random swathes of color and shapes tossed into a scene. A photographer takes an otherwise ordinary shot and takes it at just the right angle or focus to create a masterpiece of colors, patterns and textures. Abstract photography is totally based on your photographic eye. It’s when you’re Continue Reading

The post The World of Fantasy: 40 Surreal Abstract Photography Examples appeared first on Photodoto.

Photodoto

May 31, 2014
Imaginary Landscapes: 18 Digital Art Fantasy Worlds

[ By Steph in Drawing & Digital. ]

Alien planets, fantasy worlds and visions of Earth in the distant future are envisioned in stunning detail in these 17 digital paintings by a variety of artists, from students to renowned industry veterans. These otherworldly imaginary landscapes range from game concepts and imagery inspired by fiction to scenes that are entirely borne of the artists’ imaginations.

Spaceship Wreck Yard by Maciej Wojtala

“I wanted to visualize an idea of an environment covered with old spaceship wrecks, being absorbed by nature and decaying for many years,” writes artist Maciej Wojtala of this piece.

Fantasy Island, Peter Lee

Artist Peter Lee envisions a fantasy island in which people who live harmoniously with and worship nature might just be mistaking nature for technology from another world.

Revenge of the Fallen Concept Art by Ryan Church

Get a good look at some locations that weren’t seen in detail in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in the concept art of Ryan Church.

Through the Ancient Valley, Blinck

Inspired by Lord of the Rings, ‘Through the Ancient Valley’ by Blinck depicts on young girl on horseback making her way through a valley featuring statues on a massive scale.

The Extra Planet by Zack Moores

A spaceship lands on another planet only to find bizarre life unlike anything ever seen before in this work by Zack Moores.

Tropical Islands by Eva Kedves

Waterfalls, temples and faces carved into the rock make this fantasy landscape by Eva Kedves a unique Southeast Asian-inspired paradise.

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Imaginary Landscapes 18 Digital Art Fantasy Worlds

[ By Steph in Drawing & Digital. ]

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October 2, 2013
Surreal La Balade des Gnomes Hotel Offers Fantasy Getaway

[ By Steph in Boutique & Art Hotels & Global. ]

If your idea of a romantic getaway is to sleep in surreal, vaguely medieval rooms within a Trojan horse, perhaps you should be spending your Valentine’s Day at the bizarre La Balade des Gnomes Hotel in Belgium. ‘The Walk of the Gnomes’ offers ten themed rentals made of natural materials – the polar opposite of typical sterile, cookie cutter hotel rooms.

Architect Mr. Noel created the hotel on what was formerly an ordinary farm in the charming historic town of Durbuy, to complement his restaurant next door. The most stunning suite, from the outside, is the Trojan Horse, but the hotel also offers a troll’s lair and a Macquarie Island room with a boat-shaped bed.

The natural building material cob, which is mud mixed with lime and straw, provides an ideal medium with which to sculpt irregular walls inlaid with mosaics and twisted branches. Some rooms look like castles straight out of Game of Thrones while others resemble alien landscapes.

No matter which room you choose, staying at this highly unusual hotel is bound to be an experience to remember. Rooms start at just €115 ($ 153).

[ By Steph in Boutique & Art Hotels & Global. ]

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February 19, 2013
Surreal La Balade des Gnomes Hotel Offers Fantasy Getaway

[ By Steph in Boutique & Art Hotels & Global. ]

If your idea of a romantic getaway is to sleep in surreal, vaguely medieval rooms within a Trojan horse, perhaps you should be spending your Valentine’s Day at the bizarre La Balade des Gnomes Hotel in Belgium. ‘The Walk of the Gnomes’ offers ten themed rentals made of natural materials – the polar opposite of typical sterile, cookie cutter hotel rooms.

Architect Mr. Noel created the hotel on what was formerly an ordinary farm in the charming historic town of Durbuy, to complement his restaurant next door. The most stunning suite, from the outside, is the Trojan Horse, but the hotel also offers a troll’s lair and a Macquarie Island room with a boat-shaped bed.

The natural building material cob, which is mud mixed with lime and straw, provides an ideal medium with which to sculpt irregular walls inlaid with mosaics and twisted branches. Some rooms look like castles straight out of Game of Thrones while others resemble alien landscapes.

No matter which room you choose, staying at this highly unusual hotel is bound to be an experience to remember. Rooms start at just €115 ($ 153).

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18 (More) Crazy, Creepy and Kinky Hotel Rooms: From Japanese Fantasy to Time-Lapse Photography

Here are eighteen more unusually artistic, sexy, crazy and kinky hotel rooms from around the world. Who knew that interior designers could be so creatively strange?
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20 (More) Incredibly Unconventional Hotel Rooms: Artistic Interior Designs from Around the World

These twenty rooms range from playfully artistic to mind-bogglingly surrealistic with everything in between. Definitely a little something for any taste or preference.
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[ By Steph in Boutique & Art Hotels & Global. ]

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February 15, 2013
21 Retro Travel Posters Feature Fantasy & Sci-Fi Destinations

[ By WebUrbanist in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]

Ever wanted to be the next companion of Doctor Who, wished you could ride along on the Firefly-class Serenity, or wondered what it would be like to cruise the galaxy with the rebels (or imperial fleet) of Star Wars? Created to look like vintage travel posters, these faux advertisements give a new spin to science-fictional and other fantastical worlds.

Steve Thomas is working on selling posters, but for now has a galactic travel calender you can buy. His Star Wars series features such dubious destinations as Mos Eisley and the Swamps of Degobah, and offers transit via imperial shuttles, star destroyers or for the more adventurous: Jawa sandcrawlers, rebel escape ships and the Millennium Falcon.

Adam Levermore was “commissioned me to create a series of travel posters for Joss Whedon’s film, Serenity [and designed] these as WPA-style travel posters for the planets and locations from the movie. They were a huge success, and remain one of Quantum Mechanix’s top sellers. The highest praise came from Whedon himself, when he posted on the Whedonesque blog, calling the posters “extremely cool” and “masterfully designed.”

Next Page: 21 Retro Travel Posters Feature Fantasy Sci Fi Destinations

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In De Nile: Revisiting Vintage Egypt Travel Posters

Cairo or bust! This Luxor-ious selection of vintage Egypt travel posters sheds a nostalgic light on the travel industry’s biggest pyramid scheme.
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A Blast from Cinema Past: 27 Retro Movie Posters

Ever since there have been movies, there have been bold and creative movie posters to draw viewers into the theaters.
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December 25, 2012