Art/Culture ~ Pink Tentacle (8)

Archives: ‘Art/Culture’ Category

Chameleon vs. human (in super slow motion)

12 Jul 2010

Described as a "mixed martial arts match" between man and lizard, this super slow motion encounter captured by goomo, a Tokyo-based media production agency, shows a chameleon firing its tongue at the face of a human opponent.

+ Chameleon vs. human

The video is one in a series of 25 episodes that capture compelling moments in super slow motion. The other episodes -- which mostly fall somewhere between grotesque and mildly erotic -- include a shot of pudding dropped onto a prematurely bald head...

+ Prematurely bald head vs. pudding

...a swimsuit model in a champagne fight...

+ Swimsuit model vs. champagne

...a slap in the face...

+ Slap in the face

...and more.

[Via: Karapaia]

1 Comment

Proletarian posters from 1930s Japan

08 Jul 2010

In the 1930s, a new style of poster emerged that reflected the growing significance of the masses in Japanese society. These artistic posters borrowed elements from Western design and often incorporated bold slogans with political, economic and educational themes. Here are a few examples.

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Health Exercises for the People (Bureau of Postal Insurance, 1930)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Tohoku Area Famine Relief (Federation of Tokyo Area Proletarian Organizations, 1931)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
The 2nd Proletarian Art Grand Exhibition (Japan Proletarian Artists Federation, 1929)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Workers and Farmers Russian Art Exhibit (Japan Proletarian Art League, 1927)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Listen! Workers of All Nations! (1931)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Safety Leads to Efficiency (Labor Welfare Association, 1932)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Proletarian Art Institute (1930)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Poster for The Proletarian Graph Magazine (Proletarian News Company, 1929)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Indulging in Alcohol Ruins Your Health (Labor Welfare Association, 1932)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Harufusa Ohashi (Election Poster for Labor-Farmer Party, 1928)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Come, the Dawn of Mankind is Breaking (Farmers' Theater Performance, 1928)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
National Bonds for the Sino-Japanese War (Ministry of Finance, 1937)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
The Grand National Exhibition of Advancing Japan (City of Gifu, 1936)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Records of a Victory (Leftist Theater's 20th Performance, 1931)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
A Town With No Sun (Leftist Theater's 14th Performance, 1930)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
A Happy Worker Makes a Happy Home (Labor Welfare Association, 1932)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Rise, All Japanese Citizens (Imperial Rule Assistance Association, 1940)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
The Key to Harmony Is the Spirit of Mutual Help (Ehime Factory Improvement Committee, 1929)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
To Manchuria! (Ministry of Overseas Affairs, 1927)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Poster for Taishu [The Masses] Magazine (Taishusha, 1929)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Kusunoki Masashige Festival (Kenkoku Kai, 1931)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Mobilizing All Citizens and Organizations for the Nation (Industrial Guilds Central Committee, 1937)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Pay a Living Wage (Japan Textile Workers' Union, 1930)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Prevent Tuberculosis (Ministry of Home Affairs - Social Affairs Bureau, 1930)

Poster from 1930s Japan --
Clean Up Before Make Up (Labor Welfare Association, 1932)

[Source: "Japanese Posters and Handbills in the 1930s - Communication in Mass Society," published by National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, 2001]

44 Comments

Hifana – Hanabeam

06 Jul 2010

Japanese breakbeat duo Hifana have released a kaleidoscopic new video for "Hanabeam," from their forthcoming "24H" album.

+ Video

1 Comment

Bosozoku-style rides

05 Jul 2010

Here are 50 photos of wildly modified bōsōzoku-style rides from Japan (via alljapanexpress, Speedhunters, Sunny Speed Style, Inokoshientotsu).

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Bōsō zoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bōsō zoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bōsō zoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bōsō zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

64 Comments

Fact – ‘Behind A Smile’

02 Jul 2010

Melodic hardcore quintet FACT have released a new animated video for "Behind a Smile," from their latest album "In the Blink of an Eye."

+ Video

6 Comments

Future transportation (1936)

30 Jun 2010

In 1936, Shōnen Club magazine published an illustrated article entitled "World Transportation Invention Competition," which took a look at the future of transportation.

Retro-futuristic transportation in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
Sphere-wheeled car -- Reiji Iizuka, 1936

This futuristic car with spherical wheels, illustrated by Reiji Iizuka, is based on an idea from a German inventor. The vehicle's tires -- a pair of oversized rubbery spheres -- offer a smoother ride than the conventional tires on a four-wheeled car, and they act as a cushion in the event of an accident.

* * * * *

Retrofuture design in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
Amazingly swift flying machine -- Matsujirō Murakami, 1936 [+]

This ultra-fast airplane, illustrated by Matsujirō Murakami, is based on a design by an American inventor. The vehicle is powered by propellers that blast air through a pair of large ducts.

* * * * *

Retrofuturistic transportation in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
Ship with built-in boat dock - Gyosui Suzuki, 1936 [+]

This safety-conscious passenger ship, illustrated by Gyosui Suzuki, is based on an idea by an American inventor. The hull of the ship is designed to open up in an emergency, and it contains a small fleet of boats that allow people to escape quickly and safely.

* * * * *

Retrofuture design in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
Mountain monorail - Kikuzō Itō, 1936 [+]

The design for this innovative monorail train, illustrated by Kikuzō Itō, originated with an American inventor. The two-wheeled design looks rather precarious, but the powerful airplane propeller and tail fin manage to keep the train upright and stable as it zips through the mountains. Extra wheels extend out from the sides when the train comes to a halt.

* * * * *

Retro-futuristic transportation in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
High-speed tank-style boat - Matsujirō Murakami, 1936

This high-speed battle boat, illustrated by Matsujirō Murakami, is also inspired by an American design. A pair of caterpillar tracks allow the vessel to roll across the water like a tank on land.

[Source: 昭和之雜誌廣告・ナツカシモノ]

8 Comments

Louis Vuitton bugged by ‘Batta Mon’ sculptures

28 Jun 2010

Nine locust sculptures made from fake designer bags were removed from an art exhibit in Kobe, Japan after a complaint lodged by luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton.

Batta Mon --
Locust sculptures made from fake designer bags

The works -- created by Kyoto-based artist Mitsuhiro Okamoto -- were on display at the Kobe Fashion Museum from April 15 until their removal in May.

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon LV

The sculptures, which measure about 40 centimeters (16 in) long, are titled "Batta Mon" -- a play on the words batta ("locust") and battamon (slang for "knockoff"). According to the artist, the works are meant to raise questions about the relationship between authenticity and imitation in a consumer-driven society.

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon LV M Mr

Unfortunately, Okamoto's social commentary was lost on Louis Vuitton, who claim the Batta Mon sculptures represent an endorsement of the illegal trade in counterfeit goods. The Kobe Fashion Museum promptly removed the sculptures from the exhibit in May, after receiving a letter of complaint from Louis Vuitton claiming that the works damage the image of their luxury products because they incorporate material from counterfeit products.

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon LV M Mc

A museum official told reporters that it was unclear whether or not the exhibit infringed on trademark rights, but said that the museum removed the pieces to avoid a legal dispute.

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon LV Da

Okamoto, who was not pleased with the museum's eagerness to bow to the will of a large corporation, said, "It is ridiculous to lump the Batta Mon sculptures into the same category as counterfeit products made for commercial purposes."

Louis Vuitton declined to comment on the matter.

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon LV M De

Five of Okamoto's Batta Mon sculptures are made from fake Louis Vuitton bags. The other four are made from fake Chanel, Gucci, Coach, and Fendi bags.

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon CC

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon GC

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon CC

Batta Mon --
Batta Mon FD

[Sources: Asahi // Mitsuhiro Okamoto]

11 Comments

‘Bakemono Zukushi’ monster scroll

24 Jun 2010

The Bakemono Zukushi handscroll, painted in the Edo period (18th-19th century) by an unknown artist, depicts 24 traditional monsters that once used to spook the people of Japan.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Oyajirome (親白眼) has a bulging eye on the back of its head and a claw on its one-fingered hand.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Daichiuchi (大地打) is a mallet-wielding monster with a bird-like face.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Dōmo-kōmo (どうもこうも) is a two-headed creature with gray skin.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Sara-hebi (さら蛇) is a large, snake-like creature with the head of a woman.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Mi-no-kedachi (身の毛立) has a coat of body hair that stands on end.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Nobusuma (のぶすま) has a brown body, human-like face, spiky hair, claws, and sharp black teeth.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Uma-shika (馬鹿) is a horse-like monster with a horn on its head and a single bulging eye.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Hajikkaki (はぢっかき) has a round white body with short arms and legs.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Odoroshi (おどろし) is a red-faced monster with big eyes, black teeth, and long hair.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Yume-no-seirei ("dream ghost" - 夢の精霊) appears as a thin old man in a white robe.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Yamamba (山姥) is a mountain hag.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Rokurokubi (ろくろくび), a long-necked woman, is pictured next to an Inugami (犬神) dog spirit.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Boukon (亡魂), a departed soul, appears to have pale blue skin, long hair, and a distended belly.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Ushi-oni (牛鬼) is a sea monster with the head of a cow and the body of a giant spider or crab.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Yamawaro (山童) is a one-eyed kappa-like creature found in the mountains.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Buraribi (ぶらり火) is a white, bird-like creature surrounded by ghostly flames.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Uwan (うわん) is a creature that inhabits abandoned buildings.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Akashita ("red tongue" - 赤舌) is a hairy-faced creature that hides in a dark cloud.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Yuki-onna ("snow woman" - 雪女) appears on snowy nights as a beautiful woman with long hair.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Nekomata (猫また) cat demon plays the shamisen next to a kitsune (狐) fox spirit.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Kami-kiri ("hair cutter" - 髪切) are known for sneaking up on people and cutting off their hair.

- View the entire scroll.

[Via: International Research Center for Japanese Studies - Yokai Database]

7 Comments

Sci-fi illustrations by Shigeru Komatsuzaki

21 Jun 2010

Here is a collection of sci-fi illustrations by the prolific Shigeru Komatsuzaki (1915-2001), whose fantastic work appeared on plastic model kit boxes and in magazines and picture books in the 1960s to 1970s. Click the "+" under each image for a larger view.

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
The Missiler, 1970 [+]