Art/Culture ~ Pink Tentacle (46)

Archives: ‘Art/Culture’ Category

Chernobyl Household Nuclear Generator

22 Jun 2007

Chernobyl Household Nuclear Generator --

This spoof advertisement from the mid-1980s shows an imaginary home power system called the Chernobyl Household Nuclear Generator. Here is a loose translation.

===================================

A gentle source of unlimited energy for the home

Reduce your monthly electric bill by 80% and enjoy a constant, stable supply of energy free from the fluctuations in supply that affect the oil market.

A single, user-friendly activation switch makes the Chernobyl Household Nuclear Power Generator simple to operate, even for children and the elderly. One small nuclear fuel rod (about 15 cm long) generates enough electricity to support the average household for six months. To dispose of a spent fuel rod, simply insert it into its special shielded case and discard it along with ordinary non-combustible household waste.

Main unit: 1.31 million yen [$5,450*] (plus tax)

Set of 3 fuel rods: 137,000 yen [$570*] (plus tax)
[* Dollar figures based on early '80s exchange rate of 240 yen/dollar.]

Caution:
When using the power generator with direct current, people near the device may on rare occasions experience dizziness or a tingling sensation in the hands or feet. If you experience such conditions, temporarily discontinue use and consult a physician.

(Coming soon:
Nuclear batteries (Types AA, C and D)
500x longer lifespan than conventional alkali batteries!)

Safe, efficient nuclear power is now readily available for use in your home.

Chernobyl Household Nuclear Power Generator - Type 1
Nichigen Co., Ltd.
Nihon Shogata Genshiryoku Hatsuden, K.K.
("Japan Compact Nuclear Generators, Inc.")

[Link]

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Rinpa Eshidan: Welcome to YouTube Japan

19 Jun 2007

In the first step in its international rollout, YouTube has launched localized versions of its video sharing site in nine countries -- Brazil, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the UK and Japan. YouTube Japan, which now has a fully translated interface and a local listing of recommended videos, is now featuring a welcome video by Tokyo-based art collective Rinpa Eshidan, whose killer "motion painting" videos have a history of rocking YouTube.

Watch more Rinpa Eshidan videos HERE.

[Link: YouTube Japan]

1 Comment

Virtual itasha invade Forza 2

18 Jun 2007

Virtual itasha in Forza 2 --

Since the release of the Forza Motorsport 2 racing sim for Xbox 360 several weeks ago, players worldwide have been using the in-game custom paint function to create incredible designs for their cars, which they can either race online or buy, sell and trade through the game's virtual auction house. Japan?s digital racers have been in on the fun from the start, turning their virtual rides into magnificent itasha that scream otaku pride.

Here are links to two enormous online galleries (Gallery 1, Gallery 2) of virtual otaku-mobile paint jobs incorporating loads of Japanese-flavored eye candy, from anime and manga to games, food packaging and more. What makes these detailed paint jobs even more impressive is the fact they are created entirely with the game's basic paint tools -- a limited selection of vector shapes that can be colored, scaled, rotated and layered endlessly to create complex designs. Graphics cannot be imported from external sources, so everything is created manually step by step in what is undoubtedly a time-consuming process.

Here's a tiny sample of some of the work found in the galleries:

Virtual itasha in Forza 2 --

Virtual itasha in Forza 2 ---

Virtual itasha in Forza 2 --

[Link: Gallery 1, Gallery 2 via TECHSIDE]

3 Comments

Heat-sensitive urinal stickers as bug spray marketing gimmick

14 Jun 2007

Heat-sensitive urinal stickers as marketing tool -- The marketing minds at Fumakilla, a pesticide manufacturer, have launched a gimmicky bug spray promotional campaign that makes use of heat-sensitive, color-changing stickers placed in urinals at public restrooms around Shinjuku station. Under ordinary, dry conditions, the special urinal stickers show a housefly in the crosshairs of a rifle scope, but as men take aim and relieve themselves on the stickers, the fly transforms into an advertising message.

The stickers are printed with a layer of special, heat-sensitive ink developed by Pilot Ink. When the sticker is exposed to a certain amount of heat, this layer of ink becomes transparent, revealing an advertisement printed underneath. Dai Nippon Printing, who manufactured the stickers for Fumakilla, designed them to withstand the rigors of being placed in a public urinal for extended periods of time. Fumakilla says that in addition to serving as a form of advertising, the stickers provide men with a convenient target to aim for when using urinals, which leads to a cleaner restroom environment.

The company has also launched a website featuring a simple Flash game called "Ippatsu Meichu," which allows players to test their fly-shooting skills in a virtual lavatory. Make sure not to make a mess, though, or you'll get a visit from the angry toilet lady.

[Source: IT Media]

2 Comments

Tucker videos

12 Jun 2007

Via YouTube comes some inspiring musical magic by Tucker, Tokyo's favorite turntable spinning, guitar and bass looping, oil can thumping, toy tweaking, cassette tape scratching, pyromaniac Electone player.

Here's a small sampling of the many live clips found here (also check out a few cool videos for Sony here).

Tucker loops oil can/thumb piano/bass and scratches turntables

Tucker scratches the guitar

Tucker spins turntables, plays the Electone, sets it on fire

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QR code on shrimp crackers

05 Jun 2007

QR Ebi-sen -- Internet content creator Hertz has launched a new marketing service called "QR Ebi-sen," which allows companies and individuals to print QR code on shrimp crackers. QR code, a type of two-dimensional code that enjoys widespread use in Japan, connects users to mobile web content when they scan it with a QR code reader-equipped cellphone.

Using natural dye extracted from tamarind seeds, the QR code is printed on the smooth surface of white crackers provided by ebi senbei manufacturer Shimahide, whose factory is located in the city of Kanonji in Kagawa prefecture -- a place known for delicious ebi senbei. The resulting cracker has a high-contrast, high-quality image readable by a cellphone QR code scanner.

The price for the service starts at 10,000 yen ($85), with an additional fee based on the number of crackers printed. Visitors to the NET Marketing Forum held at Tokyo Midtown from June 6 to 7 will get the first taste of QR Ebi-sen courtesy of the Web Technology Corporation, who will be handing them out from their company booth.

[Source: Impress Watch]

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Video: Robo-panda revenge

04 Jun 2007

High-tech panda suit in action --

Here are a few videos demonstrating some of the more diabolical uses of buildup's animatronic panda suit. Be nice to pandas, or be prepared to suffer the consequences.

Sniper panda

Panda gang violence

Kung fu panda

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Video: Gate Vision

31 May 2007

Gate Vision --

For a quick trip to inner space, check out Gate Vision, a video by Kazuhiko Kobayashi. Using software to convert Shinkansen bullet train footage into a circular image, Kobayashi creates a hyper-psychedelic video mandala that mutates along with the rapidly changing scenery. The first minute shows the train's departure from the platform, and the rest shows the kaleidoscopic scenery from the window as the train cruises toward Tokyo station. To fully appreciate the mind-bending sound of Shinkansen space travel, it is best to view this with powerful speakers (or headphones).

You can check out Kobayashi's website for more videos and visit his scan Gate gallery for lots of awesome photo mandalas.

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